Plans submitted for Bristol's innovative ‘Gap House' concept Affordable eco homes proposed for disused garage plots in Horfield, north Bristol
Plans have been submitted for Bristol's innovative new concept in affordable housing - the Gap House - to be built on a council-owned disused garage plot in the city. The eco-homes have been commissioned and funded by Bristol City Council and designed by global design practice BDP's Bristol studio in partnership with the Bristol Housing Festival, for a site in Horfield in the north of the city. If the project is a success the council will potentially be identifying further sites for Gap Houses in the future. The plans propose a row of nine affordable, one-bedroom, two-storey, modularly constructed homes. The site sits between two rows of back gardens of existing homes and will include green space and outdoor seating in front of each home to encourage social interaction and community cohesion.
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The Gap Houses will be contemporary, cost effective, eco-friendly homes, largely factory-built using modern methods of construction (MMC), in order to minimise disruption in the existing neighbourhood. Designed to fit into small garage sites that are often disused in many cities and neighbourhoods, the homes will be super-insulated to support minimal heating requirements. They will also use renewable energy generated by solar PV panels and air source heat pumps, resulting in minimal environmental impact and low running costs. The homes will include an open-plan kitchen-living area and bathroom on the ground floor, with a bedroom and storage on the first floor. Large windows allow for maximum natural light. The houses generously meet national space standards for a single-occupancy, one-bedroom unit.
