a distinctive social housing development built on the site of an old fish processing yard

The practice was commissioned to design flats to fit within this complex site which included boundary issues on all sides, traffic noise and a sloping site, mostly below the permitted sea flood level.

The site issues were addressed using a terraced block of flats which followed the street curve, and slope of the hill.  This gives the scheme its distinctive appearance and strengthens the street frontage.  The curve also forms a welcoming enclosure at the rear for entrances and parking.

To absorb the site level changes, a gentle ramp runs past each doorway.  The wall gives privacy to the houses from the car park opposite and planting provides a textured, sheltered area for the kitchens to overlook.  

Natural, hard-wearing materials such as weathered Siberian larch were used with vibrant door colours bringing identity to each house.  A stone plinth sits beneath the terrace to elevate it above the flood level.