DONNYBROOK
Past: Peter Barber Architects’ Donnybrook development in London’s East End is a classic. This low rise high density scheme has won many awards and is considered a template for urban terraced housing. Originally commissioned by Circle 33 Housing Trust in 2003, it has since won many awards and international publicity. The dwellings are arranged around a narrow car-free street and resurrect what was popular after the war, pioneered in Switzerland in the 1950s and known as mat building. Clearly it has a Mediterranean feel, not just from the whiteness of the development which bounces light and the courtyards and the real closeness of private living with public space. This is a mixture of one and two bed flats and four bed houses. Description does not do it justice – Donnybrook needs to be visited and ‘felt’.
THE DECK
Present: The Deck is an ongoing development by Bryant Homes on the banks of the river Mersey in Runcorn. This vibrant high density development comprises 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in 10 six-storey blocks. Designed by architects Calderpeel, it recognises the benefit of quicker construction achieved by using timber and involving UK timber frame manufacturer and designer Prestoplan. As a result, big savings in construction time were achieved with each block being constructed in about 14 months. The development also features a number of interesting cost-effective design solutions also using timber, such as large vents in the roof.
MULBERRY PARK
Future: Panther Hudsmith architects’ design for Mulberry Park is in the London docklands area of Canada Water. It was recently granted planning permission by the London Borough of Southwark and noted of being of 'exemplary' design by the Planning Committee. The scheme comprises 256 residential units grouped around green courtyards, which are to be landscaped with mature planting and reeded water features, together with thousands of square metres of new office accommodation (B1 Class) to provide a mixed-use scheme. Conceptually, the design of the scheme makes reference to the timber stacks which personified the character of the docks. Traffic will not be allowed into the core of the development, instead a new pedestrian boulevard link aims to draw people through a beautifully landscaped environment which can be enjoyed by all.
Photo Morley von Sternberg
