Pocket Housing London : Architecture Information

Westminster gives green light for first Pocket Housing project 15 Sep 2009 Westminster City Council has just approved a 32 unit scheme designed by architect Darling Associates for specialist developer Pocket. Well known for commissioning top architects to produce modern, stylish and affordable micro apartments on awkward sites, this is Pocket's first venture in Westminster. At the planning meeting on 3 September 2009 the Committee stated that 'exceptional circumstances' made this project on Fermoy Road W9 eligible for planning. The committee was particularly impressed by the very high quality of design by Darling Associates, and by the sustainable credentials of the scheme which has a green wall and reached Code Level 4 for sustainable homes. Pocket's vision of affordable one-bed flats for singles and couples is also strongly supported by the planning committee. Pocket developments www.pocketliving.com are built to a high specification but sell at less than 20% of the market rate. The apartment building by Darling Associates www.darlingassociates.net/ has been skilfully designed to maximise useable living space to give the most efficient apartment possible. By designing full height windows and utilising features such as underfloor heating to maximise useable floor space, these compact units (400sqft) are incredibly efficient, light and airy and well designed places to live. Darling Associates embraced the sustainable challenge and have incorporated ground source heat pumps, solar and green walls into the design. The result is a landmark building which fits contextually into the community. It has been skilfully designed to make the most of a small and awkward site. Chris Darling, whose practice won the AJ Practice of the Year award in May, said that "the apartment building will make a strong contribution to the neighbourhood and will help regenerate this rather neglected area of Westminster." Pocket Housing - Design Team: Client: Pocket Architect: Darling Associates Planning: Rolfe Judd Environmental Consultant: Creative Environmental Networks Pocket Housing London information received 150909 London Architect London Buildings Darling Associates Pocket Pocket builds small developments (15 to 40 homes) for sale. Buyers own 100% of their Pocket property, not a share, and the developments, which are mainly located in Greater London, are not subsidised by the taxpayer. Pocket, produces high-quality homes that are designed to be sympathetic with the local environment.