Natasha Rice C r u d d a s Pa r k B o t a n i c a l G a rd e n s D e s c r i p t i o n : The project is about redeveloping and creating new housing in Cruddas Park in the west end of Newcastle, working with an existing 1960’s concrete residential tower block and neglected shopping podium. There is a strong stance on sustainability, aiming to rejuvenate and bring life back to the spaces and not demolish the large concrete structures. The residential tower block is currently social housing. The area is quite deprived with high rates of crime. Most of the residents of the tower block are single or divorced men, living alone, mainly over the age of 45, which led me to the idea of co-housing. I wanted to re-house some of the singe residents in these low-rise Earthship styled housing units, as well as making the actual tower block more communal, adding more social shared areas. The main aim of the tower block refurbishment is to bring more openness, space and light to the residents. The existing concrete façade is being removed, and winter gardens and balconies are being added to both sides of the tower. The separate structure will be tied back to the original. The shopping centre is also being redeveloped; there is currently lots of empty and unused retail units. Part of the podium is being stripped back to its concrete frame to create a botanical garden for the local community. It creates a social space for the wider community to interact and grow their own food. The project aims to be very sustainability, retaining lots of the old buildings original structural system, and use low-impact materials. The Earthship-styled low-rise housing units are also self-sufficient, generating their own power, harvesting water and dealing with their own waste. I tried to make the tower as autonomous as possible. The site is surrounded by a lot of un-used green space, so there is a strong focus on enhancing the biodiversity in the local area, using lots of green infrastructure. Contact Details: tasharice@hotmail.co.uk 07395359407
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