The inspiration for this ideal home is the Georgian house and a Georgian square. The beauty of these archetypes was that they created a sense of elegant identity that unified the community that lived in them.

The houses generally had five storeys, including the basement. Overall, the plans show that each floor had two rooms: one at the front and one at the back split by a central stair. The basement housed the kitchens, the laundry and general utility rooms; the ground floor housed the library and parlour; the first floor, a dining room and the living areas; and the upper floors, the bedrooms with the top rooms reserved for the maids.

In these terrace-type houses the façade became paramount. The front facades were usually built with the highest quality brick, ie, London brick and the rear with the cheaper multi brick. The proportion of the white painted sash windows enhanced the elegance of the building. The repetition of these facades created a unified identity for a square.

The repetition was usually economically inspired but this inadvertently created a unity that brought a sense of community.

This new ideal home aspires to the same ideals of the Georgian house, but with a modern interpretation that takes into account the social and technological changes that have occurred. However, this new idea will seek an older ideal of creating a sense of community and identity through togetherness and unity.

The power of the elevation

The question is how do you create a sense of identity, unity and community? In townhouses the answer lies in the treatment of the elevations. The house can be generous to the passer-by, welcoming, rather than fortress-like.

The design requires all houses to be identical. The identical elevational treatment says to the outer world that ' we are the same'. In this design the overhanging curved elevation reaches out and collectively all the houses embrace the street. The large canopy seeks to break down the barriers between private and public. It is generous.

The large concertina doors on the first floor, which run the full length of the front elevation, form the mouth of the house. When the doors are open they allow a dynamic conversation with the street and the neighbours.

The house has been designed to meet the Lifetime Homes standard with the possibility of adding a lift if more mobility is required. The ground floor houses a room which can either be an additional bedroom or a work space. It is here that a lift can be incorporated.
The garage has a car charger for the electric car and space for two bicycles. The house will feature up-to-date technologies.

The first floor is an open plan space which allows for family conversation, while floors above contain the bedrooms.

The idea is that all elements of the house will be prefabricated, including the elevational treatment. The designer’s illustration shows acid-etched blackened concrete panels with gold coloured aluminium windows. The interiors will be finished simply in two materials: timber floors and painted plasterboard walls.

Code for Sustainable Homes

The design achieves level 5 (90 points in weighting). Some assumptions have had to be made regarding the Code until a specific site has been chosen.

Energy and carbon dioxide emissions
In the energy CO2 emissions section, all the sections can be achieved by specifying as required. However, in the main section ENE 1 and ENE 7 the points will be achieved by using air source heat pumps for heating and hot water and utilising underfloor heating to increase efficiency. Electricity is from the mains but usage is offset by a correctly sized photovoltaic array (roof mounted and facing south for optimal efficiency). An office is provided on the ground floor and two cycle spaces are provided.

Water and surface water run off
Water consumptions can be achieved by specifying taps that meet the requirements. Flood risk and surface water will be assessed once a site has been chosen.

Materials
All materials achieve the Green Guide ratings that meet Code level 5 and 100 per cent of all timber is to meet legal standards.

Waste
All waste issues (home and construction) can be achieved with consultation with local councils, after which a specification will be written to meet the requirement. Composting is provided.

Health and wellbeing
The building has been designed to Lifetime Homes criteria; it has a garden and the daylight is sufficient. Sound insulation will be specified to suit.

Management
A home users’ guide will be provided, contractors will meet the requirements of the Considerate Contractors’ Guide and a crime prevention design advisor will be consulted.

Ecology
A site is required to address this item. Footprint requirements will be achieved with this development.

© British Homes Awards |  Site design: LW design