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Accordia residential masterplan shortlisted for Stirling Prize
Led by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Accordia residential masterplan is being considered as the new standard for high density housing by RIBA who have chosen the design as one of six finalists for the Stirling Prize.
Accordia covers 9.5 hectares providing 212 houses and 166 apartments, 30% of which fall into the 'affordable' category which are integrated in both scale and materials with the private housing. The masterplan is designed predominantly for pedestrian and cycle use with mews streets, landscaped pedestrian streets and cycle parking integrated into the design, made possible with the placement of the site which has easy access to the town centre. Minimal car parking is available but kept discreet.
Important in the design is the location which is well balanced with access to the city centre but views out over the countryside. The scheme includes a variety of innovative house and apartment types in the form of terraces and courts, along with ‘set-piece’ buildings, all composed within public landscaped gardens and placed in clusters of 65, separated by mature landscape.MacCreanor Lavington Architects and Alison Brooks Architects were also brought into the project to increase variety.
RIBA said: “This is high density housing at its very best. Beautifully thought-through houses are linked by a series of public, semi-public and private but visible open spaces, making the whole development a joy to walk through. Houses and flats have good-sized, well-proportioned rooms with views out ranging from the urban views to rural pasture. This development proves that good modern housing sells, that a committed local authority can have a very positive influence on the design, that a masterplan with a range of architects can be successful and that the very best architecture does not need to rely on gimmicks. This will be a project that will be much referred to and used a future case study.” Niki May Young
News Editor
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