goldsmith street| precedent study

Norwich councils Goldsmith Street is a Passivhaus certified scheme that was completed in October of 2019. Goldsmith Street is a social housing scheme that consists of 45 houses and 60 flats all done within the budget of £14.5m.

Mikhail Riches Architects submitted a passive solar design in a parallel layout arranged to admit low-angle winter sun and to exclude high-angle summer sun, which is a proven strategy in Passive design. The approach set out by Mikhail Riches for this project was to re-introduce traditional terrace streets and houses into an area of Norwich which was mostly dominated by high density flats.

There was to be existing links between the surrounding area by utilising the existing local roads and parks into the arrangement of blocks on the site. By doing this, Architects Mikhail Riches ‘connected the community’ to a new development whilst also having no effect on biodiversity and geological conservation by building new access points (roads) into the development.

To optimize solar gain, all dwellings were orientated south so that the uses of mechanical systems in the winter would be reduced by maximising solar gain [minimising operational carbon].

The blocks were intentionally spaced from each other by 14m [see section below], and the roofs were designed asymmetrical with a shallow pitch on the north side so that each terrace did not overshadow the one behind it.

This also allowed the project to have an ‘urban feel’ in the mist of the dominated urban environment and allows for a sense of small community in the spaces between blocks.

Another key aspect of the goldsmith project is the architect’s vision to create a space of communities coming together and increasing biodiversity, which can be seen in the large green spaces located throughout the projects such as the ‘wild-flower landscape’ of which is immediately adjacent to midland street park.

ECD architects | precedent study

In May of 2022, ECD Architects were appointed to design and deliver a mixed tenure, low carbon housing project. In the councils drive towards becoming Net-Zero by the year 2038, the project was to consist of 103 units to be provided, 20 of which would be designed to passivhaus standard and one unit which would in fact, achieve netzero. The ambitions of the council was to maximise the use of modern methods on construction in an attempt to achieve a minimum of 31% reduction in carbon emissions.

The approach set by ECD Architects aimed to implement sustainable design principles not only to dwellings but also to the existing external environment, to enhance the sustainability of the site and the additional dwellings separately. These design principles were, fabric first approach, climate resilient design, renewables, ambitious embodied carbon targets, modern methods of construction and to design towards a circular economy. Where this differs from the Goldsmith Street project in terms of fabric first design is that the Goldsmith Street project aimed completely for all dwellings to be certified passivhaus. In the ECD Architects scheme, the fabric first approach was the very first ‘ground-zero’ principle whether designing to the passivhaus standard or otherwise.

ECD Architects also had a principal design approach towards climate resilient design. This includes the consideration of strategies to relieve the changing climate such as SUDs (sustainable drainage systems), rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling the site

The main idea was to bring green open spaces further into the site where development could take place to create a pedestrianised ‘green avenue’ where there would be spaces for planting trees, creating seating, and creating small play areas.

The second idea was to have a continuation of vehicle access to the already existing fifth avenue and for the new road layout/vehicle access point to reflect the already curved nature of fifth avenue.

The third main conceptual idea was to develop the layout of dwellings to connect the surrounding open spaces to the green network that had been created in order to frame views towards the green belt.

The aims from the initial layout was to create cycle and pedestrian friendly spaces that prioritises residents in order to maintain privacy while also connecting the community, of which would help to improve the well-being and life quality of residents.

The layout also increased and enhanced the biodiversity of the site by using hedges instead of walls or fences, and also used additional features such as bee bricks, integral bat bricks or green roof habitat shelters which were introduced over bike storage and bin stores.

This project is still in the planning stages of design and therefore, no extra images than I have received directly from ECD architects can be provided.

Site Location

Framework Area

Analysis [context]

Analysis [environment & access]

Visions For The Area

site location | camden

The project location is in London, Camden. There was a selection of sites that were proposed to us during the module brief [morrisons site & sainsburys site], however, I wanted to research the Camden area thoroughly to find an area of need. During my research, I came across an area of regeneration in Camden [Gospel Oak]. This region was among the areas where Camden council were focusing attention to improve. This raised the perfect opportunity to research this region more to be able to locate a site of regeneration for my project.

framework area | gospel oak

The community vision framework area includes most of the gospel oak region as well as the northern half of Haverstock [not included in diagram].

The ‘core area’ is where the main focus of estate regeneration/renewal will occur. In the core area is where greatest needs for development is needed and will likely be the area that will undergo the most significant change in this region of Camden.

The selected site for this project is located inside the ‘core area’ of Gospel Oak which cements why I have chosen this site as opposed to other sites mentioned.

analysis | context

Site

Primary Vehicle Roads

Cycle Routes

Queens Crescent [Main Commercial Sector]

Public Green Space

School

Grade I Listed Building

Grade II Listed Building

Grade II* Listed Building St. Martins Church | Heritage Asset

Built in the 1860’s, the St Martin’s church (grade I listed) is one of many heritage assets of national significance in the area and is situated directly adjacent to the selected site. This is something to think about when designing the housing scheme, to not ‘hinder’ its presence in the area, but instead, add to it.

analysis | environment & access

Site

Potential Site Access [Vehicle]

Secondary Vehicle Access

Sun Path

Pedestrian Route

Summer Solstice | June 21st 2023

Sun Rise | 04:42

Sun Sets | 21:22

Highest Angle | 62 Degrees

Spring Equinox | March 20th 2023

Sun Rise | 06:03

Sun Sets | 18:13

Highest Angle | 38 Degrees

Winter Solstice | December 21st 2023

Sun Rise | 08:03

Sun Sets | 15:53

Highest Angle | 15 Degrees @ 12:00

Main Visions For The Area

BETTER access to places to play, relax, socialise and interact with nature.

Homes better linked to SPACES

NEW quality afforadable improveconnections to queens cresent

Improve air quality energy efficient and low carbon buildings.

New improved green spaces community facilities

Residents and sense