Hess Kincaid Leach Architects' starting point was a design strategy that would allow the inhabitants to evolve their lifestyles within an adaptable home.

Communities are built by people and not architecture, but the latter can greatly enhance the possibilities for a community to flourish, through careful consideration of both an individual's needs and the desires of a wider community.

Architecture is often conceived through a narrow lens but should encompass a much wider perspective such as an economy of means as key criteria for a truly sustainable community. It is therefore important that design considers not just aesthetics but also environmental performance. This reduces energy consumption and makes financial savings, which in turn allow inhabitants greater freedom of choice through their lifestyles. This ability to take control over environmental and financial constraints can empower and foster a sense of ownership, not just of a house for life, but of a community and a sense of place.

»Community integration
A neighbourly connection is considered to be at the root of any genuine or sustainable community. The arrangement of this lifetime neighbourhood is based on the idea of creating a series of strong physical and visual links between the individual, their home and the street.

Open yet enclosed private patios and gardens are presented as positive design attributes to the overall urban composition, encouraging owners to personalise and take pride in their spaces. Smart homes are wired and connected to local health, community, transport and information services.

»The Homes
Internally the homes are arranged with public functions at ground floor and private functions at first floor. The plan divides into two distinct zones: the adaptable living zone and the services/circulation zone.

The living zone has a through plan with natural light penetrating from two aspects, while composite views are introduced from the living zone onto both the rear communal and front pedestrian street. Each home has a sociable open plan kitchen/dining
space with the opportunity to open out onto the large enclosed private decked areas to the rear. This allows the inside life to spill out and vice-versa. Comfort and ease of use are key.

The service/circulation zone on both floors is designed to meet Lifetime Homes standards with ease of access, flexibility and integration of wet-rooms on both floors. The staircase is located within the service/circulation zone, allowing the upper floor to be divided into two spacious bedrooms with their own en-suites, negating any need for an upstairs bathroom. Roof-lights with
light-wells are placed over the staircases to provide natural day-lighting and ventilation. The floor plans allow for a future home working office space which also contributes to lowering carbon emissions.

»Construction Strategy
Plumbing, electrics and drainage are located along this service zone and are independent from the main load-bearing structure with access for maintenance via removable panels. This allows for minimal intervention to the structure should the need arise for repairs or new installations of sanitary appliances or utilities.

The adaptable living zone has large ply-web beams to provide a clear span between the party walls. This structure, clear dimensions and open plan areas, allows freedom for division into differing lifetime configurations using non-load-bearing partitions.

Provision is also made for a single person platform lift within the proposed floor plans and arrangement of plywood I-web structure at first floor.

»Environmental strategy. The approach is:

• Fabric first - lower demand with: longevity of robust cladding materials; airtight external supra-insulation; comprehensive envelope around brick thermal mass core, structural insulated panel (SIP) extensions; triple glazing, thermal break frames, doors and windows; natural daylight and LED lighting; and smart metering.
• Harvest abundance - with: rainwater for washing, car washing, garden and toilets; solar hot water; solar electricity for pumps fans and appliances.
• Create thermal comfort - with: passive solar gain; incidental gains; heat recovery ventilation; and condensing natural gas boiler or heat pump.

»Landscaping
The existing homes are set back from the footpath and articulated with porches, protecting the entrance doors. Timber slatted gates and fences provide clearly defined private defensible space between the public realm and houses. Composting, recycling and cycle storage are arranged along rear perimeter boundaries.

Natural surveillance is enabled through projected corner windows and good visual links between private and public spaces encouraging 'eyes on the street'.

A garden terrace enclosure to the rear of each home makes efficient use of the land without compromising quality of amenity or privacy. Large glazed openings face the garden front and rear giving a dual aspect to the living zone, optimising natural light and improving the sense of well-being.

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