TODLAW SUPPORTED HOUSING // SCOTTISH BORDERS


Todlaw Supported Housing

PROFILE

Architect:
Client: 
Location: 
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Oliver Chapman Architects
Berwickshire Housing Association
Duns, Berwickshire
Small scale development
This project is the first care facility in Scotland to be based on a housing model rather than traditional institutional provision.
RIBA Award 2008
RIAS Andrew Doolan Award Finalist 2008
Scottish Borders Council Design Award 2008/2009
Scottish Design Awards 2008 – Affordable Housing Commendation
EAA Awards 2008 – Commendation 
Oliver Chapman
Saltire
e-architect

  Working with the
Landscape 
  Respect the landscape setting
  and the traditional building
  patterns of the locality

  Responding to the
Site 
  Consider the immediate context
  and allow specific site conditions
  to influence design

  How to
be inspired 
  Inspirational ideas for
  sustainable, creative
  and innovative design
  • The scheme contains 14 fully accessible semi-detached houses clustered around a quiet street.
  • The arrangement offers beautiful vistas and composition.
  • There is a mixture of gables and eaves which adds to the streetscape character.
  • The commonly understood character of a home is created by designing duo pitched roof forms with gables at either end.
  • Parking is designed so that cars are tucked between the gable ends, thus allowing space for soft landscaping in front of the houses. In this way, the unsightly arrangement of cars crowded along the pavement edge is avoided.
  • All the houses are set out around a grid which creates a varying relationship between houses and the road. Some houses are set back from the road whilst others are close to the road edge.
  • Economy is achieved in the repetition of built elements but distinctions are achieved through shifts in colour and orientation.
  • Materials are principally stained larch cladding and fibre cement slates.
  • The eaves are detailed flush and this trim appearance emphasises the simple form of each pair of dwellings. 
  • Entrance thresholds are all recessed, rather than featuring add-on porches, contributing to the simple aesthetic.
  • The scheme represents a major innovation in the provision of care facilities for disabled people in Scotland.
  • The strategy of using a housing, rather than an institutional model for the care of people with substantial disabilities and illnesses has been carried out with clarity and has produced housing which would be admirable for any occupation.
  • The occupants feel that they are living in the town in the same way as everyone else. Clearly this is a project of great significance to its users.
  • The project shows what can be achieved even with an extremely low budget.

 

 

 

Page updated: Friday, March 09, 2012