Proctor and Matthews have designed 78 new homes at Newhall, Harlow in response to the challenge of building, eco-friendly, cutting edge housing stock.

 

The intention of the design team has been to develop an architectural vocabulary which combines a contemporary aesthetic and a response to 21st Century living patterns with sensitivity to local materials, colour and texture. The proposals also exploit a desire for light and airy modern dwellings and an aspiration to create a sustainable residential community of distinctive character and lasting quality. Flexible and adaptable housing types, including modern terrace and courtyard housing, have been developed in response to the Newhall masterplan and this distinct Essex environment.

 

 

This scheme, slo (simple living opportunities), places as much importance on living outdoors as indoors, with courtyards and gardens serving as an extension of the family home. The aim is to break the boundary between internal and external environments, increasing the amount of living space and integrating the home with the surrounding landscape. Natural light is allowed to permeate the homes with a central light well, illuminating the bathroom that would otherwise use electric light during the day. 

 

Steel Frame off-site modular construction technology was utilised in constructing slo to help reduce waste and improve quality. Processes and assembly techniques were inspired by other volume manufacturing industries, allowing design and manufacture to be streamlined. Kitchens and bathrooms were assembled and fitted in the workshop, meaning work is carried out away from the mess of the traditional building site. These efficiencies allowed customers to choose house arrangements to suit them, ready for delivery in just 16 weeks. The innovative design results in minimum cutting of raw materials reduced waste and increased energy savings.

 

 

Proctor and Matthews and Futureform have developed the slo scheme utilising their combined experience and research into prefabricated housing. Proctor and Matthews ‘prefabulous’ scheme and their research into the ‘60k house’ competition resulted in a prototype house for a BRE exhibition. The Futureform Building System facilitates the construction of the core ideas of this research. Each slo home exceeds current government space standards by at least 5m2, within cost constraints.

 

The Steel Framed modules result in homes that are delivered as a weatherproof and sealed shell, including all windows and doors with a full internal fit-out. Modules are delivered to site and secured to pre-constructed, standard, strip foundations then stacked, roofed and rendered. Final prefabricated steel components (entrance canopies, porches, balconies) are then fitted to complete the home. Five two-bedroom homes can be installed, waiting for external cladding, per day. During factory construction and fit-out, groundworks can be simultaneously undertaken.

 

The clients’ aspiration was to provide an exemplar pre-fabricated housing scheme meeting a strict budget. The RSL requirements had to be delivered on a tight programme. The scheme was delivered within twelve months from onsite commencement to handover of first RSL units.

The steel frame modular system has been used for the first time to unlock economical courtyard housing. The modular system, through economies of scale, allows a greater external envelope compared with traditional build.

 

The use of prefabricated units is common in the construction of dense apartment housing, but is rarely used for domestic homes, either Urban or Suburban. This scheme begins to open module systems to the volume housing market. The scheme continually pushes the boundaries of metal frame building, trying to maximise glazing and layout openings.

 

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