The project consists of 152 dwellings for families of two to seven people, the majority of which consist of self contained houses with integral garages. The layout attempts to create an urban scale by stressing the street as the locus of the 'res publica' and contrasting this to the 'res privata' of gardens and childrens' play spaces. The scheme illustrates the difficulty of establishing an urban environment within a context that is fundamentally suburban in concept.

In the street façade, the bays containing garages, living rooms and loggias are projected forward to emphasise the individuality of each house within the overall discipline of the terrace.

The ends of streets are frontalised onto a large open green, by use of storey height oriel windows, and likewise the parallel blocks by the use of continuous pergolas. The pergolas also provide an opportunity for structure planting and are a method of screening car parking.

The scheme is constructed in loadbearing cavity brickwork of buff-coloured facings with string courses, cills and lintels of darker contrasting brick. The roofs are of concrete tiles and the doors and window frames are of dark stained wood.

Awards

• Architectural Design Project Awards 1982
• Housing Design Awards 1983, Public sector New Housing, Highly Commended
• Civic Trust Award, Highly Commended 1984

(design : Colquhoun + Miller)

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