Cartwright Pickard Architects' winning design for the United Kingdom location, envisions a housing complex that uses a modular system to provide affordable living in an urban environment.

The dwelling employs two basic module sizes, both of which are assembled offsite and transported to the site. The larger of the two units forms the basis for the dwelling types. By adding a second smaller module, a variety of dwelling sizes can be achieved, either by horizontal or vertical expansion. Wall or floor panels can be omitted or made removable to allow expansion and creation of double height spaces. Intensification of stair cores can be achieved through installation of modules as the need arises.

The modularity of the concept allows easy replication and adaptation to different sites. The architects proposed an entire community built around an enclosed courtyard area where social interaction can take place. The community, in theory, can begin with a few units and expand with new units or added floors to existing units to accommodate new tenants.

Heating is provided by bio-mass boilers fired by wood pellets. In a community setting, the bio-mass boilers are shared for economies of scale. As well, condensing boilers are added to the heating plant to handle peak loads. Low temperature hot water is delivered to the apartments via pre-insulated pipes. Once inside the apartments, pressed steel radiators will be used throughout. Solar water collector arrays are positioned on the roof-tops to offset energy consumption for water heating. South glazing allows beneficial solar gains in the winter.

Heat reclaim is used to extract beneficial heat energy from the air being rejected from the apartment rooms into the supply air stream, which will be used to temper the air supply into the main living spaces.

To manage thermal loads in the summer, green roofs are proposed to absorb solar energy. Green roofs have additional benefits outside of the development in reducing summer city overheating and adding vegetation to a dense urban environment. The Cartwright Pickard concept is inherently designed to optimise natural control of solar heat throughout the buildings. As well, the placement and depths of balconies has been optimised to limit solar overheating.

The green roof also includes a roof-top sun room that can be used to expand the living area and provide a unique space for entertaining. The roof also houses solar panels and rain water capture for non-potable uses.

Modular construction reduces site waste and local construction impacts to the neighbourhood. As well, it facilitates a factory-controlled scrap recycling process.

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