Viewfield Housing, Ayr Building, Ayrshire Property, Scottish Residential Design Image

Viewfield Housing : Ayr Homes

Residential Development Ayrshire, south west Scotland – design by Austin-Smith:Lord Architects

23 Jul 2010

Viewfield Housing Ayr

Design: Austin-Smith:Lord Architects

New Housing in Ayr

The ‘L’ shaped site lies between the area of 4 storey flats known locally as White City to the west and an old industrial area on the railway line on the east. The area, an unused car park is covered in blacktop. The south leg of the ‘L’ is not capable of built development as it is in the route of a major town sewer. The north leg of the ‘L’ has an electricity substation and a major electricity route on its eastern boundary. There is also a known mine shaft just beyond the north-west corner of the site.

Ayr Homes design by Austin-Smith:Lord
Viewfield Housing Ayr building
image © Keith Hunter

Development therefore had to avoid mine shaft, electricity cable and main sewer. This left a narrow strip down the middle on the northern leg of the ‘L’ for building. The remainder is suitable for roads, parking, gardens and landscaping. The surrounding architectural context is 4 storey white buildings.

The design of this new development reflects the current context but the concentrated areas of glass to circulation areas and living space will enhance the activity of the area whilst offering passive surveillance of what is currently an unsupervised area. The brief was for a mix of 1, 2 and 4 bedroom dwellings for 2, 4 and 7 persons respectively.

The design solution is to provide the 1 and 2 bedroom dwellings in four storey and six storey flats with the 4 bedroom dwellings in the form of two and a half storey terraced houses. The focal point is created at the north entrance to the development with the protecting glass stair tower of the lift access six storey flats. The development is terminated at the south end with four storey walk up flats.

Between the six storey and the four storey flats are the two and a half storey terraced houses. The terraced houses and ground floor flats have private gardens while the upper flats have shared garden space, both accommodate bin storage.

Car parking for both flats and houses is shared on street parking adjacent to the house/flat entrance. Visitor car parking and amenity landscaping is provided the south section of the ‘L’ shape. Accommodation 4: 7 Person, 4 Bedroom, Terraced House 28: 4 Person, 2 Bedroom, Flat 12: 2 Person, 1 Bedroom, Flat Materials Flat Roofs: Dark Grey Membrane House Roof: Dark Grey Concrete Tile Flat Walls: White Render House Walls: White Render Boundary/Plot Walls: White Render Road and Paths: Grey Concrete Block

Viewfield Housing Viewfield Housing Ayr Ayr Housing Viewfield Housing Ayrshire
images © Keith Hunter

Sustainability

The external envelope was insulated well above building regulation standard. This together with efficient boilers and compact development is the main energy saving strategy. Reclaimed aggregate and timber from sustainable sources was used. Excess excavated material from the existing car park was used as the base to form the landscaped sculptural mounds to the south leg of the site. Residents have good access to both bus and rail public transport.

Viewfield Housing – Building Information

Architects: Austin-Smith:Lord LLP Authority: South Ayrshire Council Structural & Civil Engineers: Scott Wilson Quantity Surveyor: Poole Dick Associates CDM Co-ordinator/Planning Supervisor: CDM (Scotland) Ltd Contractor: Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd Client/Project Manager: Ayrshire Housing

Viewfield Housing – Award Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2010: Social Housing Development of the Year

Viewfield Housing images / information from Keith Hunter / Austin-Smith:Lord Austin-Smith:Lord

Location: Ayr, Scotland

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