Gerald Court, Burnley

Role: Architecture & Landscape Architecture

Value: Places for People

After winning Ideas Competition run by Calico in conjunction with Places for People, PRP was appointed to develop the innovative bungalow project which has won MSA Design Awards 2007 winner of ‘Un-built Social/ Ethical Housing’ category.

The scheme provides 40 bungalows to replace an existing scheme within the Burnley Wood Priority Area, part of Elevate East Lancashire Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Initiative. The bungalows are arranged in terraces to reflect the traditional street patterns of the town, and face on to landscaped Homezones.

Groups of four bungalows share a private courtyard space on several levels, accessible only through the bungalows. An on-going consultation programme with the residents has taken place to develop the initial competition ideas. Residents appointed their own `design champions’ who undertook a design course to provide an understanding and input into the design process. Further consultation included precedent studies and colour theory work using Community Artists.

The pedestrian priority Homezone is a series of inter-connecting parking courts, surfaces in buff macadam with a contrasting access road. Pinch points formed by the planting and the use of contrasting block paving at the entrance to the streets, together with the sinuous design of the through route discourage non essential vehicles and reduced traffic speeds.

Low level shrub planting provide defensible space between the building and public footpaths. These include resilient yet colourful plants and native tree species to support The Eco-Homes principles.