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Flats, Kings Road

St Edmundsbury (West Suffolk)

Project Details

£1m to £1.99M

New Build, Within a Conservation Area

Practice

Modece Architects Ltd

4 The Old Fox Yard , Stowmarket , IP14 1AB

This project has been developed by studiomgm architects which is a practice formed by the partners of Modece Architects, Greenyard Architecture and Mole Architects. The development comprises a three storey block of 12 flats in a conservation area, on behalf of clients Havebury Housing Partnership and Orwell Housing Association. The affordable eco-homes comprise six one bedroom and six two bedroom affordable flats. They achieve Eco-homes Excellent. They are an exemplar of sustainable design and incorporate the following features: timber frame construction giving a lower carbon footprint and reduced energy in construction, panelised timber for ease of construction, high insulation levels using Wamcel recycled paper, un-treated larch cladding and oak windows to reduce maintenance, galvanized gutters and downpipes for robustness and longevity, and solar shading to counter hot summers. One of the most visible features of the development is the planted green screen around the building. This serves a functional purpose as well as an aesthetic one. The plants will not only assist in creating a cleaner and cooler micro-climate around the building, but will be a beautiful feature that will give delight as the seasons change. The green screen will create a micro-climate where water given off by transpiration will create a cooling effect in the summer and also serve to shade the building from the sun. The screen will also form a barrier offering visual privacy to the occupants from the traffic and pedestrians on this busy corner. Rainwater is collected and used to provide a water supply to flush toilets and to irrigate the green screen. There are no baths. Flats are provided with showers and all taps and nozzles will be low flow to minimise water consumption. All of the 12 flats are served by one domestic boiler to provide heating and hot water. A second boiler will be provided as contingency for breakdowns and servicing.