| Client | Phoenix Community Housing |
| Architect | Levitt Bernstein |
| Number of Homes | 32 |
| Site Area | 0.34 ha |
| Local Authority | London Borough of Lewisham |
| Planning Approved | March 2021 |
An innovative intergenerational development designed to Passivhaus, Melfield Gardens will connect residents over 55 with the younger community through new dwellings and generous communal spaces including a south-facing ‘garden’ room.
Situated in Lewisham, the residential scheme will provide 30 new, affordable homes for older residents which can be adapted as their needs change. Two four-bedroom homes will also be built upon the site, offering accommodation to postgraduate students from Goldsmiths, University of London. At the heart of this project is a social value initiative whereby students are offered the opportunity to assist older residents by providing company and through participating in a range of recreational activities within communal spaces. In return for being ‘good neighbours’, the students will be charged lower rent.
In line with HAPPI principles, older residents will have the flexibility to tailor their homes as their requirements change. A ‘one-bedroom-plus’ model is also an integral part of the design providing an additional ‘study/hobby room’ which residents can access through a pocket door, allowing it to be integrated into the main living space or to remain separate.
Our planners played a vital role in preparing the planning application through attending consultation events which helped to shape the proposals. As a result, planning permission was secured in early 2021 and the scheme has since been shortlisted in the Housing Design Awards 2021.
