John Aird Court – new build housing
Client: CityWest Homes
Status: proposal complete April 2010
This new five storey building contains nine flats and links two existing blocks of a 1950s housing estate. It creates an enclosed semi-public garden that can be used by residents of both the new and old buildings.
The introduction of a ‘green tower’ is central to the design. It provides circulation – residents enter their flats off the staircase and through their own front garden that is contained within the tower. Integral planters and the surrounding landscaping emphasise a feeling of natural green space within a very urban environment. The tower also helps to control views onto new amenity space and eliminates issues of overlooking.
Timber framed construction gives an economic and environmental solution, and minimises disruption to the estate during construction. The new building has a green roof and photovoltaic panels are to be placed on the existing refurbished porte-cochère.
The building plan is flexible with the circulation external to main body of the building, giving maximum scope for re-planning interior layouts should the market demand change.
