This project was created as part of a bid in collaboration with bpha to provide a scheme of 36 affordable units on a site in Hockliffe. The bid required a turn-around time of two weeks, and a high level of detail for the submission. The site had several constraints which complicated the design, including a large area of the site being in a flood zone, overhead power cables, Grade II listed buildings in the area, and the presence of a nearby school.
We put together a comprehensive package of house type designs, supported by detailed elevations and a full series of site drawings. Alongside these, we prepared a design document that demonstrated how the scheme directly responded to the specific constraints of the site, including flood risk areas, proximity to listed buildings and existing community uses. By addressing these issues carefully, the proposal balanced deliverability with sensitivity to its setting.
Particular attention was given to the character of the housing. Each property was designed with an individual elevation treatment, creating variety and avoiding repetition across the site. This approach gave the scheme the appearance of having developed organically over time, rather than as a single uniform estate. The variation in detailing and materials was intended to provide residents with a sense of individuality while contributing to a cohesive overall character.
This combination of technical clarity and design sensitivity resulted in a bid submission that not only met the practical requirements of the process but also presented a convincing vision of how affordable housing could be integrated successfully within a constrained and sensitive context. This project was delivered by our director under the Avebury brand.