Reading + West Architects were invited to provide proposals for new build housing on a brown field site close to Chiswick High Road. The site which is located to the rear of an existing residential street is currently used for garaging and storage. We have designed a series of five contemporary 4 bedroom houses that will be designed to be energy efficient so as to minimize their impact on the environment with 20 % of the required power being generated on site with a combination of solar and photo voltaic panels. The buildings will be clad with hard wood from sustainable sources which will mellow with time and soften the urban environs. The elevations have punched window openings that are sized and located to suit the room uses and animate the facades. The site will be re landscaped and planted to enhance security whilst promoting wildlife. Parking spaces will be finished with permeable paving to soften and reduce the hard landscaping whlist allowing surface water to drain through. The project is due for completion in 2011.