Avante Linton, Coxheath Maidstone, UK

Sheppard Robson, as part of the SixtyK consortium, was selected as preferred bidder for Coxheath, a 3.9ha site as part of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Design for Manufacture competition. This was the second of three wins in the competition for SixtyK. All of the new homes were delivered to an EcoHomes ‘Excellent’ standard. The site was shortlisted for a Housing Design Award and received a Building for Life ‘Gold Award’.

The development comprises 150 homes, providing 30% affordable units, a combination of rented and shared ownership. All the homes were delivered using Kingspan’s unique off-site component systems to maximise economies of scale, and create efficient homes that are individualised using a variety of features such as roof lanterns, bay windows and balconies.

The scheme is designed to evolve a sustainable community, creating a legible and distinctive architectural form that not only responds to the rural location but also provides contemporary and flexible living spaces. By ensuring passive environmental design is considered at the outset, the scheme minimises energy consumption and maximises the benefit from the homes’ natural environment. Glazing has been carefully positioned on all housing to ensure that views and daylight are maximised in living areas, whilst preventing unwanted solar gain and heat loss.

Post-occupancy evaluation is an essential part of the design process. To understand the actual performance of designs, the relationship between the building and the residents’ actions, and ultimately how satisfied they the residents are, is extremely valuable material.

Our client, Crest, secured funding under the Technology Strategy Board BPE competition to carry out a study at Avante. The programme involved physical monitoring, both post-construction and post-occupancy, coupled with a study of user behaviour, with particular focus on the usability of the housing design and specification in relation to control elements and comfort levels, to ascertain how they might be improved. One of the key aims is to work with the original design team to ensure that the lessons learnt fed back to all parties in the design process.

The development achieved the Building for Life Gold Standard in 2010.

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