WEST MOLESEY

A brownfield site previously occupied by a primary school building and playing field.

This project follows the principles of eco-urbanism bringing the architecture, urban design and landscape design together to respond to the existing ecology of the locality with this new intervention seen as an opportunity to strengthen and work with the existing natural systems in and around the site.

The site is bounded by an existing suburban residential area, the urban design seeks to link the movement pattern and public open space configuration to the wider area to encourage integration of the new community. Within the site a high quality permeable public realm is proposed with a clearly defined spatial hierarchy; a community facility is located at the “crossroads” in the centre of the scheme. The public realm is to be owned and managed by the residents.

The distinctive character of the scheme is achieved through the integrated design of outside space, hard and soft landscape and architectural form which is influenced by the nearby Thames riverside architecture.

The architecture is intended to be humane and pragmatic with internal flexibility to accommodate changing family circumstances over time. Construction is in timber frame with water based preservatives and through-coloured render. Roofs are covered in natural sedum. Carbon emissions are minimised through the installation of a district CHP installation with ring main distribution fuelled by bio-fuel. Water consumption is managed through surface and grey water recycling.