A Home 4 Life design competition

Created on 25.08.2008

PRP unveils concepts from its ‘A HOME 4 LIFE’ design competition as architects are challenged to apply inclusive and sustainable design principles to all new housing.

25 September 2008: Space standards will become a central issue if architects are to comply with Government policy, which aims to extend ‘inclusive’ and ‘sustainable’ design principles to all new housing through the Lifetime Homes Standards. The competition, ‘A Home 4 Life’ – PRP’s third in a series of annual internal design competitions held to respond to industry issues – shows new approaches by their architects to how housing design needs to change, in terms of space standards, housing typologies and the flexibility of housing layouts to address the changing needs of the family.

Space standards

Most of the proposals exceeded the space targets set – an indication of the pressures architects face if we are to build a more sustainable generation of housing for the future.

Roger Battersby, managing director of PRP, said, “We are concerned that Lifetime Homes Standards, in the context of current space standards, will tend to increase space in bathrooms, corridors or hallways to the detriment of the main living spaces. If overall space standards within the home were increased, many of the accessibility and inclusive design issues that we are seeking to embrace will become incidental. There will, however, be a price to pay and it is essential that we strike the right balance between inclusivity and affordability.”

Housing typologies

Another common theme that emerged was the presumption against the ‘narrow fronted’ house as a typology, with many entrants opting for the ‘wide frontage’ house as being more easily suited to achieving inclusive design standards. This confirmed PRP’s perception that moving towards inclusive design could have far reaching implications for housing design, not only in terms of space standards, but also our housing typologies, layouts and densities.

Roger Battersby added, “The need for a reappraisal of housing design towards more ‘inclusivity’ in design standards is indisputable. This is evidenced by the demolition of a generation of housing stock which is structurally sound but inflexible and, therefore, too expensive to adapt to our changing needs and aspirations. However, architects are being challenged by the implementation of the strategy which remains uncoordinated and inconsistent. The housebuilding industry and its designers are being required to comply with a proliferation of standards, guidance and regulation aimed at more inclusive design within ever tighter constraints in terms of affordability and marketability.”

PRP has produced a booklet featuring all 12 concept designs submitted for the competition. Download booklet (pdf)