Stables Yard

  • an exemplar, low carbon, flood-resistant, sociable scheme

  • The client wanted to create "an exemplar scheme which was respectful, innovative and environmental"

    This sociable housing project located on a backlands site behind terraces of Victorian houses in Beckenham comprises six homes, with coach house and is an exemplar low carbon, flood resistant scheme.  As in all our sociable housing schemes, private space is combined with valuable shared amenity which contribute to and support community.
    Inspired by our project at Forest Mews, our client wanted to create an exemplar scheme which was respectful, innovative and environmental. As a contractor himself, he also wanted to collaborate on a project which would showcase the strengths of his own team in joining and carpentry. Our client wanted a modern, honest cladding material which would also be durable and look good.
     
    A timber frame construction is clad in colourful cementitious plank to create a playful, unifying identity which looks good and is durable.
  • Living areas open on to private outdoor decks to the rear of the houses whilst a shared, garden runs the...
    Living areas open on to private outdoor decks to the rear of the houses whilst a shared, garden runs the length of the scheme. Dining areas open via double doors onto another  shared deck at the front of the properties. Meadow-like planting contributes to biodiversity in an area dominated by hard surfaces.
    In London, 80% of public space is made up of streets.  The surrounding streets of Stables Yard are narrow and dominated by cars, and almost every house has converted their front garden to parking space exacerbating the urban drainage problem.  Located close to a culverted river we combined the need for parking and the need for flood resilience by setting parking over a large 70 cubic meters SUDS area. This also creates a change of levels which we have also used to help mediate private and communal space.
     As well as being flood resilient, Stables Yard is low carbon, using a high performance ‘fabric first’ approach. Other sustainable features include electric car charging points, air source heat pumps, solar panels and a mechanical heat recovery system.