Roof Design in London Housing Cases
Roof Design in London Housing Cases
HOU S ING DE S IG N
CAS E S TU DIE S
AND APPE NDICE S
S U PPLE M E N TA RY PL A N N I N G G U I DA N C E
G OO D G ROW T H BY D E S I G N
GOOD QUALIT Y
HOU SING
FOR ALL
LONDONE RS
CONTENTS
2.4 Terrace 36
D4.1 Foundry Mews 38
D4.2 Dujardin Mews 40
D4.3 Signal Townhouses 42
D4.4 Moray Mews 44
The SPG comprises four modules that aim to provide helpful guidance on
housing development along with increased certainty for all Londoners that
good growth is possible and will happen. This guidance is aimed at landowners,
prospective developers, architects and wider design teams, planners and
decision makers across the public, private and community sectors. The different
modules will be of different levels of interest to different parties.
The guidance also hopes to provide local communities with confidence that the
Mayor is determined to work with development partners to deliver good growth
that safeguards amenity and helps ensure that all Londoners have a good
quality of life. Module D is principally aimed at borough policy officers needing
examples of residential types set out in Optimising Site Capacity- A Design-
led Approach (Module A) when undertaking site capacity testing or preparing
design codes as promoted in Module B. It will also be of interest to developers
looking for examples of how to comply with certain Housing Design - Quality
and Standards (Module C)
Axonometric view
requirement for small site development. The planters on the roof deliver a
greater degree of biodiversity than a flat green roof equivalent, allowing for a Building characteristics
2-bed: 1
greater diversity of plants. The roof was conceived as a series of lapped
1-bed, 3-bed, 4-bed: 0
planting trays installed to form a pitched roof. The planted trays provide level Dwelling mix: Total: 1
beds in a stepped terrace that the owners can actively ‘garden’. Comprising Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 77
more than 800 plants installed by hand by the owners, the project realises a Typical number of dwellings per core: N/A
Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: N/A
unique green roof. The clever stepped profile of the roof design has maximised Typical floor plan
the amount of new green cover, increasing biodiversity and mitigating loss of Tenure
Market sale: 100%
green cover on the site.
Social rent, Affordable, PRS: 0%
C.6.3, C.6.5 Green roof Maximum height above ground level (m): 6
replaces built-upon Maximum height Above Ordnance Datum (m): Unknown
green space. area Maximum number of storeys: 2
Axonometric view
Residential Live/work
GEA: 80m2 GEA: 46m2
GIA: 75m2 GIA: 40m2
NIA: 57m2 NIA: 31m2
Axonometric view
Axonometric view
Axonometric view
OT TS YARD Client:
Borough:
Private
Camden
Address: Southcote Road,
London, N19 5FB
This small cluster of two houses unlocked a constrained backland site for Completion date: August 2013
development through its innovative architectural response. The building Residential cost per sqm: N/A
Total cost per sqm: £2,711
exteriors are carefully designed to minimise impact on the surrounding area,
with windows facing onto a central courtyard to protect overlooking, and bricks
carefully selected to fit into the local colour palette. Context character: urban
Current PTAL:
Exemplar of the following Housing Design - Quality and Standards (Module C) Site plan 0 1a 1b 2 3 4 5 6a 6b
Axonometric view
SHEENDALE Client:
Borough:
Pitfield d'Avoine
Richmond
Address: Sheendale Road,
Richmond, TW9
Sheendale Studios is a cluster of six studio houses built on the site of an old Completion date: 1989
factory in south-west London. Arranged as two rows of three, these are placed Residential cost per sqm: £1,562
Total cost per sqm: £1,867
back-to-back with three houses facing the street and three overlooking the
communal garden and parking area.
Context character: urban
Current PTAL:
Exemplar of the following Housing Design - Quality and Standards (Module C)
Site plan 0 1a 1b 2 3 4 5 6a 6b
C1.1 Shaping Good Places / Response to character and context
The design offers a contemporary interpretation of the adjacent architecture
Small site characteristics
and represents a good model of how to architecturally address small site
Site area net (sqm): 450
development in a sensitive neighbourhood or conservation area. The Site area gross (sqm): 496
building has a similar scale and appearance to the neighbouring large houses Parking numbers: 6
despite comprising a terrace of homes and despite its quite different interior
arrangements. Materials and detailing complement the context. Building characteristics
1-bed: 6
C5.3 Home as a Place of Retreat / Daylight, sunlight and overshadowing 2-bed, 3-bed, 4-bed: 0
Dwelling mix: Total: 6
The carefully designed refuse stores define the entrance to each property whilst also Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 39
creating a strong boundary treatment and defensible space to the street. Detailed to Typical number of dwellings per core: N/A
appear as an integral part of the development, these are robust and durable. Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: N/A
Typical floor plan Tenure
C7.2 Future Proofing / Adaptability and circularity Market sale: 100%
Each studio house has a triple-height living room with kitchen facilities screened Social rent, PRS, Affordable: N/A
Maximum height above ground level (m): 8
behind a folding door. Very large windows light up the whole interior volume. The C.1.1 Development fits in with Maximum height Above Ordnance Datum (m): 8
triple-height space provides a visual connection between all parts of the internal its semi-detached context Maximum number of storeys: 3 inc. roof
layout and offers the potential for future adaptability through the installation of a
second bedroom within the space. Planning use split
Non-residential use: None
GEA: 287
GIA: 241
NIA: 168
Axonometric view
CAUDALE Client:
Borough:
L.B. Camden
Camden
Address: Varndell Street
Completion date: September 2018
This cluster comprises three townhouses and five apartments alongside a Residential cost per sqm: £3,000 -£3,500
new public garden. As part of a programme of infill schemes within an existing Total cost per sqm: £3,000 - £3,500
housing estate. This cluster establishes a street frontage where there previously
was none. The loss of grass amenity was replaced with wildflower gardens, Context character: urban
allotments and an orchard to ensure no net loss of biodiversity and an improved Current PTAL:
C1.1 Shaping Good Places / Response to character and context C.2.2 Development
Site area net (sqm): 1,700
Site area gross (sqm): 2,113
Caudale responds to the character of the surrounding context. The bookend provides apartments
Parking numbers: 0
and a short terrace
form of the building continues the rhythm of gables along the street and the
chequerboard composition of double-height balconies is informed by the
Building characteristics
elevations of the surrounding housing. The new building helps define the street
corner and frames a route through to a public garden behind. 1-bed: 0
2-bed: 1
C2.1 Designing for a Diverse City / Diversity of residential type and
3-bed: 5
tenure and C2.2 Designing for a Diverse City / Designing for diverse
4-bed: 2
needs/inclusivity
Despite its small scale, the project delivers a mix of housing and much needed Typical floor plan
Dwelling mix: Total: 8
family accommodation in an urban setting. The massing has allowed larger family
Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 133
terraced houses alongside accessible lateral apartments designed with lift access Typical number of dwellings per core: 5
and level access balconies. Generous layouts allow ease of movement. C.4.4 Inset balconies
Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: 1
provide external amenity Tenure
C4.2 Dwelling Space Standards / Private outside space Social rent: 100%
All dwellings deliver generous space standards and quality of interior space. The PRS, Affordable, Market sale: 0%
Maximum height above ground level (m): 20
apartments are triple and even quadruple aspect. Generous inset balconies and
Maximum height Above Ordnance Datum (m): 20
roof terraces for the town houses deliver appropriate levels of outdoor amenity Maximum number of storeys: 5
whilst their position affords privacy and protection from the elements.
Planning use split
Non-residential use: None
GIA: 1076
NIA: 809
Axonometric view
Axonometric view
2-bed: 4
C6.1 Living Sustainably / Environmental sustainability 3-bed: 2
The design offers an exemplar of low carbon construction. Exposed cross- 4-bed: 0
laminated timber (CLT) creates the superstructure for all walls, floors and the Typical floor plan
roof with visible construction joints expressing the method of assembly. As CLT Dwelling mix: Total: 7
serves as both structure and finish, this removed the need for plasterboard Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 106
walls, suspended ceilings, cornices, skirting, tiling and paint. The result was C.4.4 Staggered balconies
Typical number of dwellings per core: 6
a reduction by 15 per cent in the embodied carbon of the building, as well as provide usable external amenity Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: 1
Axonometric view
C6.3 Living Sustainably / Flood mitigation and SuDS Typical floor plan 6-bed: 1
The site is located in Flood Zone 3A and is at risk of flooding, although this is already 7-bed: 1
partially mitigated by River Thames flood defences. To deal with this constraint, the
proposal places all residential accommodation at first floor and above, keeping only C.6.6 Dwellings at first floor
Dwelling mix: Total: 7
Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 65
the small business uses at ground floor level. A sustainable urban drainage strategy due to flood risk in the area
Typical number of dwellings per core: N/A
(SuDS) has been established, involving underground storm water attenuation tanks Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: N/A
with controlled pumped discharge to the sewerage network.
Tenure
PRS: 100%
Social rent, Affordable, Market sale: 0%
Maximum height above ground level (m): 10
Maximum height Above Ordnance Datum (m): 57
Maximum number of storeys: 3
Residential Workshops
GEA: 590 GEA: 690
GIA: 452m2 GIA: 613m2
NIA: 395m2 +25m2 into NIA: 505m2
eaves where ceiling
height is below 1.5m
Axonometric view
DUJARDIN MEWS
Client:
and Maccreanor Lavington Architects
Enfield Council
Borough: Enfield
Address: Dujardin Mews,
This development of two terraces reestablishes important pedestrian connections Enfield, London, EN3 4FJ
between the north and south. The project is next to a school and a two-storey Completion date: January 2017
Residential cost per sqm: £2,115
suburban neighbourhood. The scale and massing of the new mews reflects the
Total cost per sqm: £2,115
urban grain of the surrounding area to create a domestic and intimate character.
Context character: suburban
Exemplar of the following Housing Design - Quality and Standards (Module C) Current PTAL:
Site plan
C3.1 From Street to Front Door / Access and servicing 0 1a 1b 2 3 4 5 6a 6b
At Dujardin Mews, the refuse stores are planned as integral elements of the
boundary walls. Their solid brick construction makes them both part of the C.3.3 Street is passively Large Site Characteristics
building fabric and the boundary wall. Bins are hidden from view but are easily overlooked promoting security Site area net (sqm): 7,890
accessible from entrances. Site area gross (sqm): No street edge
Parking numbers: 29 (21 street, 8 on-plot)
sides of a new street despite being a narrow site. Clever planning of the
dwellings maximises aspect onto the street. The street is overlooked by homes C.1.2 Houses form a
1-bed: 6
on both sides affording good passive surveillance and mitigating the need for new terraced street 2-bed: 8
technological security solutions such as CCTV. 3-bed: 20
Typical floor plan 4-bed: 4
C3.3 From Street to Front Door / Cycle parking
As Dujardin Mews was identified as part of the wider cycle strategy for Enfield, Dwelling mix: Total: 38
the inclusion of cycle storage was essential. Enclosed cycle stores are C.3.2 Bin stores are integrated
Average GIA per dwelling: 95
Typical number of dwellings per core: N/A
integrated into the defensible space, entrance or garage of each home, reducing into the architecture
Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: N/A
visual clutter on the streetscape.
Tenure
Axonometric view
Exemplar of the following Housing Design - Quality and Standards (Module C) Large Site Characteristics
Site area net NIA (m2): 2,066
C.3.7 Sheltered cycle storage Site area gross GEA (m2): 2,576
C3.3 From Street to Front Door / Cycle parking is integrated into the design
Site area gross GIA (m2): 2,203
Large cycle storage is designed into the forecourt of each house. This has Parking numbers: 16
the additional purpose of defining a threshold and defensible space for each
home and forming a boundary treatment between dwellings. The stores are low Building characteristics
enough to maintain views along the street. 3-bed: 16
1-bed, 2-bed, 4-bed: 0
Dwelling mix: Total: 16
C5.5 Home as a Place of Retreat / Thermal comfort
GIA for all dwellings (m2): 129
The terraces are connected to the local district heating system and so help to Typical number of dwellings per core: N/A
reduce regulated CO2 emissions. Heating in each residence is provided via a Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: N/A
combination of radiators and underfloor heating. Mixed mode ventilation provides Typical floor plan Tenure
fresh air to internal spaces and helps to reduce heat gains in summer. Overall, this Market sale: 100%
conserves energy otherwise spent in active systems. To reduce summertime solar Social rent, PRS, Affordable: N/A
Maximum height above ground level (m): 9
gains, the development makes use of external shading devices, deep balconies C.5.5 Glazing responds to Maximum height Above Ordnance Datum (m): 10
and recessed windows, helping to reduce the risk of overheating. privacy and room size Maximum number of storeys: 3
Axonometric view
the upper levels provide added light whilst creating architectural interest, and Tenure
provide good natural surveillance of the mews street. Market sale: 100%
Social rent, Affordable, PRS: 0%
Maximum height above ground level (m): 7
Maximum height Above Ordnance Datum (m): 57
Maximum number of storeys: 2
Axonometric view
Tenure
Axonometric view
C2.1 Designing for a Diverse City / Diversity of residential type and tenure C.2.1 Scheme includes Large Site Characteristics
The scheme was designed to be fully tenure-blind and rehouses residents as a mix of terraced Site area net (sqm): 6,835
housing and flats
well as meeting additional local housing need. Forty percent of the new homes Site area gross (sqm): 6,835
Parking numbers: 46 (36 site, 14 street)
are affordable. Ely Court offers a wide range of dwelling types for different
tenures from family terrace housing to apartments.
Building characteristics
are dual aspect and balconies off the living areas are predominantly south-facing. 2-bed: 20
Attention has also been paid to those areas that are sometimes neglected, for 3-bed: 10
example bringing windows into bathrooms and en-suites. Kitchens too have all Typical floor plan 4-bed: 2
been provided with an outdoor aspect. The linear mansion block and villa footprint
also allow natural light directly into the communal cores ensuring a high-quality Dwelling mix: Total: 43
environment all the way from street to front door. Most of the windows have VSC C.2.2 Different dwelling
Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 108
Typical number of dwellings per core: 4
daylight values greater than 27 per cent, and those that did not meet this criteria types are integrated into
one cohesive scheme Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: 2
were within allowable tolerances, or were sharing a room with another window that
Tenure
met the criteria.
Axonometric view
KIRKFELL Client:
Borough:
London Borough of Camden
Camden
Address: Robert Street
Completion date: August 2018
This linear block contains13 maisonettes and a community centre and is a Residential cost per sqm: £3,000 - £3,500
redevelopment of a car park site within an existing estate. At five storeys, it Total cost per sqm: £3,000 - £3,500
mediates between existing tall blocks to the north and lower blocks to the south.
Distinctive horizontal banding on the street façade responds to an existing Context character: urban
building opposite and provides full width, sheltered balconies. The development Current PTAL:
repairs a fragmented street frontage and forms a new public square to the east.
0 1a 1b 2 3 4 5 6a 6b
Site plan
Exemplar of the following Housing Design - Quality and Standards (Module C)
Small site characteristics
C1.3 Shaping Good Places / Land use mix C.5.3 All dwellings
Site area net (sqm): 2,828
Site area gross (sqm): 2,418
The ground floor is shared between a community centre and a communal are dual aspect
Parking numbers: 0
residential entrance with the ancillary spaces for the housing located above.
The community centre commands the corner of the block, offering a public face
Building characteristics
to the street and opening onto a more intimate community garden behind.
1-bed: 1
C4.2 Dwelling Space Standards / Private outside space
2-bed: 5
Balconies extend the full width of the duplex dwellings at both levels, substantially C.4.1 All units exceed 3-bed: 6
exceeding the minimum requirement for outdoor amenity space. In addition London Plan standards
4-bed: 1
to the generous width of balconies, they are designed to 1.5m depth to allow
sufficient space for furniture and use by a range of people. Typical floor plan
Dwelling mix: Total: 13
Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 133
C4.3 Dwelling Space Standards / Spatial quality Typical number of dwellings per core: 13
Dwellings are designed typically with 2.5m floor-to-ceiling heights. At first floor, C.4.4, C.4.5 1.5m deep
Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: 7 or 8
a stepped floor allows for 3.2m high living spaces giving spatial generosity to loggia balconies provide Tenure
external amenity
south-facing rooms. This was facilitated by the community centre, which needed Social rent: 100%
a high ceiling above the main hall and a lower slab above service spaces. PRS, Affordable, Market sale: 0%
Maximum height above ground level (m): 18
Maximum height Above Ordnance Datum (m): 18
Maximum number of storeys: 5
Axonometric view
C5.3 Home as a Place of Retreat / Daylight, sunlight and overshadowing Typical floor plan
Dwelling mix: Total: 13
The chamfered form of the block allows southern light into the building and
Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 67
courtyard. Window and balcony surrounds are generous and sloping to maximise Typical number of dwellings per core: 3
daylight into internal spaces. The balconies have openings on two sides to allow C.1.1 Block massing
Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: 3
a maximum amount of daylight into the living rooms. Central circulation space is completes courtyard Tenure
generous, with natural light and ventilation. The winding stair has a central void Affordable: 100%
to provide additional light between the floors. Most habitable rooms are Social rent, PRS, Market sale: 0%
Maximum height above ground level (m): 15
oriented towards the quieter courtyard side, with the circulation on the roadside.
Maximum height Above Ordnance Datum (m): 26
Maximum number of storeys: 5
Axonometric view
Exemplar of the following Housing Design - Quality and Standards (Module C) Site plan 0 1a 1b 2 3 4 5 6a 6b
of these, however, has clever L-shaped duplex dwellings to enhance their aspect. Tenure
Residential Non-residential
GEA: 16,564 GEA: 1,535
GIA: 15,539 GIA: 1,440
NIA: 13,985 NIA: 1,296
Axonometric view
Axonometric view
1-bed: 93
Typical floor plan
2-bed: 114
3-bed: 26
4-bed: 2
C.1.9 Communal open space
provided at podium level
Dwelling mix: Total: 235
Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 67 (NIA)
Typical number of dwellings per core: 6
Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: 6
Tenure
Axonometric view
set-back terraces. These express the scale of each dwelling. A simple, robust palette
of materials is used throughout and generous balconies to the flats at the upper 1-bed: 23
levels provide every unit with outdoor space with views over the park. 2-bed: 13
3-bed: 49
C6.1 Living Sustainably / Environmental sustainability Typical floor plan 4-bed: 3
Chobham Manor delivers high environmental standards with layouts designed
to maximise solar gain and fabrication based on high performance of walls and Dwelling mix: Total: 88
windows. The building envelope, including window ratios, was influenced by Average GIA per dwelling (sqm): 93
Typical number of dwellings per core: 11
daylighting, overheating and thermal (fabric energy efficiency) calculations. It
Typical number of dwellings per floor per core: 3
balances daylighting requirements with protection from summertime overheating
Tenure
based on future weather scenarios, as well as fabric heat loss in winter.
Market sale: 100%
Social rent, Affordable, PRS: 0%
Maximum height above ground level (m): 18
Maximum height Above Ordnance Datum (m): 31
Maximum number of storeys: 6
Axonometric view