Project: Tomorrow's Garden City
Location: Letchworth
Value: Tbc

The scheme draws on the low eaves, steep pitches and mansard roof forms of many of Letchworth's existing house types. The compact forms allow accommodation to be extended into the roof without the need for three storeys.

Mixed terraces are formed with three house types keeping main living and bedroom spaces to the south side.

Dormer windows have evolved into double height sun-spaces that maximise solar gain, passive ventilation and natural light via the south aspect opening out onto private gardens.

The simple form affords economic construction allowing costs to be redirected into sustainable features. The construction proposes traditional construction with the modern benefit of off-site timber framed structures that are to be clad and filled with other environmentally responsible and recycled materials (e.g. 100% recycled insulation) to achieve U-values lower than current regulations. Thermal massing is achieved using 93% recycled content block-work products.

District CHP, rainwater-harvesting and waste recycling stations are shared by terraces and situated locally at the end of each cul-de-sac.