Design Diplomacy taster menu
Contents What is Design Diplomacy? PAGE 1 Introduction PAGE 3 Site Schemes PAGE 4 - One - Two - Three Before and After PAGE 8 Next PAGE 12 Taster Menu PAGE 13 - Straight Conversion - Back to Back Conversion - Side by Side Conversion - 1950’s Classic (remains at risk) - Three Storey Townhouse (released for repair) Contact PAGE 24
design diplomacy
Residents from the Welsh Streets Home Group met officials and architects in June 2012 and discussed concerns that visiting Empty Homes experts had unwittingly forced a fragmented approach to place-making on their neighbourhood. Representatives from the Welsh Streets Home Group (WSHG) suggested that with more local knowledge, the proposed designs could be improved. It was agreed that WSHG would generate some community-led designs for discussion, so that when the next round of design consultations took place, there would be an opportunity to merge the interests of a community divided by regeneration. This was the beginning of Design Diplomacy, devised by Nina Edge as a new approach to place-making and community building. Design Diplomacy combines creative and design training with practices from marketing, conflict resolution and mediation. The idea was embraced to the point that the committee of the Welsh Streets Homes Group unanimously agreed to move their funds from a war chest (the legal fees fund) to a peace initiative (the Design Diplomacy project). The project began in September 2012 by residents and is aimed at ; • Resolving existing difficulties in devising a scheme with support from across a currently divided community • Removing legal and procedural delays to delivery of area renewal • Increasing the choice and quality of homes available on the Welsh Streets clearance zone • Encouraging diversity and reducing exclusion; accommodating different choices in house types and allowing for differences in income & family structure • Achieving regeneration whilst retaining and returning valuable assets: the people, buildings, businesses, mature trees and community spirit that made the Welsh Streets special
2
iNTRODUCTION A small number of homes in the Welsh Streets are to be spared demolition. They are due to be repaired for re-use, following intervention by Empty Homes experts and lobby groups. The Welsh Streets Home Group (WSHG) who have campaigned to see alternatives to demolition, and Save Britain’s Heritage who have prevented clearance progressing, are now working with Liverpool City Council and Plus Dane to test the market before confirming the houses saved. This will feed into a council process called Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment (NRA) which will decide if the change of plan is ‘desirable, offers wider housing choice, contributes to the area and is deliverable’. As 16 houses in Kelvin Grove and 16 in Madryn Street look likely to begin a new life as refurbished homes, and Plus Dane consult on their plans to develop the cleared site there are doubts that is the best - or the only design option available. The saved homes will be isolated in a development that’s markedly different from the Princess Park Conservation Area in which the Welsh Streets are situated. There is agreement that more choice is desirable, yet concern that the current proposals do not offer enough variety to attract a mixed community. With hundreds registering their interest re-occupying existing houses it seems 32 homes withdrawn from clearance might not be enough. The area’s uncertain future has undoubtedly damaged confidence, yet despite that people recognise it a desirable place to live or visit. We asked Liverpool Architects Constructive Thinking to generate some drawings, costs and site ideas, so that people can take an informed decision about all possibilities - including more refurbishment. It seems 2, 3, 4, 5 and even 6-bedroomed homes, with annexes, home offices, garages and gardens CAN be made for the same cost as new build. With a little extra effort homes can be as energy efficient as new build properties. Our architects are already providing eco-refit for housing associations in Liverpool including Plus Dane & Riverside. They use local supply chains, (including the joiner on Park Rd) If money invested in regeneration was spent as locally as possible another kind of neighbourhod renewal would be a spin-off. While the Council reappraise their options, we are tabling some sample designs for public discussion and feedback. They can be viewed at presentations, online and in the local shops. The drawings we present at the moment are not proposals, they are sample ideas for people to consider, add to and discuss. If there is little interest in refurbishment then there will be no point pursuing retention of houses on the site. If there is - then we would encourage the inclusion of refurbishment in proportion to demand. We are bringing community resources, adaptation to ground conditions, a range of prices and a range of tenure types to the table. A heritage developer has offered investment into refurbishment and initial feedback is encouraging. So there is choice to be made - include more retention of homes, trees and people or not… Liverpool City Council will look at the taster designs during ongoing NRA appraisals. If the ideas meet the council’s criteria, they are open to recommending adaptation of current proposals to accommodate change.
3
4
site schemes
site scheme one Keeps a few streets, adding self-build plots to complete existing rows. The housing density is reduced - by increasing house sizes, parking, and gardens and providing community areas for recreation. The streets are not used as through routes, and with the large trees retained, this scheme retains a strong park side and heritage feel. A sports court, community orchard and kitchen garden cover existing vacant plots. This type of scheme has a strong community flavour, reactivating vacant plots for food planting and play. In this example there are 24 demolitions, 129 new homes created by remodelling existing homes and 23 new self-builds.
5
site scheme two This shows a mixed area where standard new homes are flanked by self-build plots, all with gardens. Blocks of original houses are remodelled, giving a choice of size and price. Car parking areas and garages inside terraced homes reduce on-street parking. Planters prevent through traffic, giving the terraces a courtyard feel - this fosters street play, the social glue for which terraces are renowned. Vacant plots are used for housing and a community garden with raised beds is placed beside a children’s playground. Trees are retained and new shops included. A rich and varied environment. 58 demolitions, 37 new builds (including 17 self-builds ) and 157 remodelled existing homes.
6
site scheme three Keeps less existing homes, but increases their size and variety. There are shops, workspaces and a community garden complete with seating. This option shows more new build homes, some on extra-large plots - larger plots could accommodate two smaller homes for singles, or homes with bungalow annexes for families who want to be close, but not too close. Blocks of new and old houses site side-by-side as often seen in this area. It plans for an ageing population and first time buyers. 124 new homes created 56 new builds (including 6 self-builds and large plot sites), 68 remodelled existing homes and 110 demolitions.
7
BEFORE and AFTER
8
2004
2 UP 2 DOWN 2012
2004
2012
2012
1950’S classic
2004
3 STOREY townHOUSE
2012
2012
Tancred Rd Scheme by Affordable Homes Development Agency, (notice the bin store).
next...
12
Taster menu Straight Conversion Back to Back Conversion Side by Side Conversion 1950’s Classic Three Storey Townhouse
14
STRAIGHT CONVERSION bathroom
bathroom
bedroom
bedroom
bedroom
bedroom
bedroom
²
lounge
m
lounge
dining room
2 or 3 Bedrooms with loft conversion
96
dining room
kitchen
75 /
kitchen
bedroom
15
side
4/6 bedrooms with loft conversion, garage or home office. Can include annexe.
16
by side CONVERSION cup'd
bathroom
bathroom
bedroom
bedroom
2 Area: 78.215 m2 Ceiling Height: 2,400.0 mm
bedroom
bedroom
breakfast
kitchen 2 Area: 80.324 m2 Ceiling Height: 2,600.0 mm
utility dining room
m
²
home office/ garage
8
lounge
wc
15
cup'd
17
BACK 4 bedroom 2 bathrooms garage or home office. Can include annexe.
18
TO to BACK back CONVERSION garage/ home office
bedroom
garage/ home office
bedroom
bathroom
utility
bathroom
utility
sitting room
sitting room
dining room
bedroom
bedroom
dining room
bathroom
bathroom
bedroom
bedroom
bedroom
m
²
lounge
bedroom
19 5
lounge
19
Still under threat, if you want to live in a 50’s classic speak up!
20
1950’S Classic Bathroom
WC Bedroom 2
Landing
Bedroom 1 Bedroom 3
Kitchen dining
Hall
88
m
²
lounge
21
16 Kelvin Grove houses are now cleared for re-use! To buy or rent contact liveinthewelshstreets@ gmail.com
22
23 0
²
m
cellar
cellar
lounge
dining room
kitchen
breakfast/ morning room
hall
bedroom
bedroom
bedroom
bathroom
rooflight over
rooflight over
bedroom
bedroom
bathroom
3 STOREY TOWNHOUSE
23
CONTACT US welshstreets.co.uk welshstreetshomegroup@googlemail.com facebook.com/welshstreets.home
@welshstreets
ARCHITECTS CONSTRUCTIVE THINKING LINE DRAWINGS TERRY LAU DESIGN JESSY EDGAR DIYIC BOARDS DESIGN BEVERLEY DALE TEXT NINA EDGE DIYic PROJECT ROB MACDONALD SUPPORT COMTECHSA PHOTOGRAPHY MARK LOUDON STUART CLARKE JULIET EDGAR NINA EDGE SANDY VOLZ JUDE MCGLOUGHLIN SAMPLE MODEL SHED KM AND URBAN SPLASH TEXT & DESIGN DIPLOMACY PROJECT NINA EDGE LOCAL LIAISON BARBARA SMITH © Welsh Streets Home Group 2012 Welsh Streets Home Group C/O Toxteth Town Hall, 15 High Park St, L8 8DX