Stables Yard
Interco Projects with Swiss Pearl
Stables Yard is a sociable housing project located on a back land site behind terraces of Victorian houses comprises six colourful homes and a coach house. It is an exemplar low carbon, flood resilient scheme. The scheme is designed to have sociable space – valuable shared amenity which contribute to and support community.
The client wanted to create a unique scheme which was respectful, innovative and environmental. The form, which was developed in response to site constraints, flood-risk, easements, orientation, outlook and privacy, lend itself to a modern method of construction solution. This was appealing to the client/contractor as it provided the opportunity to showcase the strengths of his team in joinery and carpentry. An off-site manufactured timber frame is clad in colourful cementitious planks to a carefully coordinated, but seemingly random pattern. This playful arrangement creates a subtle play on dappled light filtered through the surrounding trees, yet with a unifying identity – it is both attractive and durable. The dining areas at the front of the homes open onto the shared access deck, a semi-private space for a morning coffee, doorstep play and incidental interaction. At first floor, the homes benefit from vaulted ceilings, which aid with passive ‘stack’ cooling, and louvres to the windows that act as privacy screens and summer shading.
By providing a more generous communal area at the entrance, known as the deck, it creates an opportunity for social interaction between residents to enhance a sense of community and belonging and contribute to well-being. This approach to communal space, coined Sociable Housing, offers collective rather than communal living, creating a set of spaces that naturally facilitate choice for families and individuals who can choose how and when they would like to interact. This sense of togetherness helps to build a resilient community.