WEST LOTHIAN HOUSING

Location: Five Sites in West Lothian

Client: Places for People

Programme: Completed 2013

The project provided 120 social rented houses and flats in cooperation with West Lothian Council. The five sites range from 12 to 36 units. To achieve maximum efficiency the standard Larach housetype was applied to all sites. The design team concentrated on the site specific issues of site layout, elevational treatment and external works. Particular emphasis was put on integrating each development into its existing context, both through disposition of buildings and by maintaining existing or creating new pedestrian linkages.

On smaller sites the development is treated as an extension to the existing building pattern. On larger sites the sense of place is enhanced by arranging the houses around a shared garden or other focus. Car based road geometry is disguised by surface treatments which reduce vehicle speeds and encourage pedestrian usage.

We established a cost effective means of meeting the council’s sustainability standards of 15% reduction in CO₂ emissions below Building Regulations, by employing high insulation and, on those houses best suited to it, a packaged solar panel system for domestic hot water.

Procurement was through the partnering contract (PPC(S) 2000) with a single team, including the contractor and timber kit manufacturer, responsible for all five sites.