AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Aiming to design housing which is sustainable and affordable. The site is situated on the north bank of the River Taff in Llandaff, Cardiff. An area mainly dominated by trees and other natural forms, such as flood risk, meant there were lots of aspects to work around.
A range of different sized homes were to be placed within the site, integrating with one another and creating communal areas for socialisation. A single storey home for a couple, a double storey home for a family of up to 4 and a double storey home with space for an additional module to allow for changing circumstances to adapt a 4 person home into a 6 person home whilst limiting disruption to the existing building.
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Having studied the essentials of a home and the areas which are most convenient and necessary within every home, no matter what the size, I decided to create open plan homes which could be personalised and changed by the inhabitants according to their own taste and preferences as everyone is different. By offering this opportunity for change and personalisation the houses can become more homely.
The homes are positioned around the trees to avoid disrupting the site as much as possible, angling each home towards the river gives them a sense of space and a view of the water.
1:50 at A1 Each home has their own private south facing garden. A cluster of 6 houses share communal gardens which can be used for socialising and relaxing in larger groups outside their homes.
Sectional study showing habitability and materiality - 1:20 at A3 - A careful balance between public and private areas had to be achieved as a busy public footpath leads through the site, but the homes require private space inside and out.
Hand drawn sections in wider context - 1:200 at A1 - Using natural boundaries where possible to lay out the foot paths and private areas of the plan keeps the development in place and ensures it has a natural feel.
Hand drawn sections showing habitability. 1:50 at A1. The homes drop down in levels towards the south to allow as much natural light into the rooms as possible and ensure that each house has a view of the water.
Detailed elevation showing the use and impact of the materials. 1:50 at A1. To set the buildings within the site, the homes were clad in timber from a local source to reduce the carbon footprint of the project and ensure a sustainable and low maintenance finish to the buildings.
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