The design and appearance is directed toward the young persons lifestyle; gives scale and importance to what are very modest dwellings by setting them within a significant building.

A pair of Victorian cottages that had suffered from many years of neglect originally occupied this steeply sloping town centre corner site. Demolition ensued along with ground excavation to form a full site-width lower ground level.

The deceptively simple compact design is clearly reflected externally - a common circulation core separates two accommodation blocks. Internally a total of thirteen units - a variety of one-bed flats, two-bed maisonettes [with their own spiral staircases] and studio units, are set at differing levels with differing orientations and views in an asymmetrical homogeneous block.

A single point of entry on the north elevation [the side road] provides both access and maximum security. The full building height glazing to both sides emphasises the link and separation between the two residential blocks whilst ensuring an abundance of natural light to the core circulation areas. This also creates generous weatherproof meeting spaces.

The top floor flats have "feature" vaulted ceilings that follow the underside of the curved roof. This unique feature again adds variety to the flats. All the units have full height glazing in the living space giving access through generous double doors out onto a balcony. These private balconies serve each and every unit enhancing the living experience by providing valuable external amenity space.

A household materials recycle centre is included within the refuse part of the level-one store area. The remaining parts of this semi-basement store area is set aside for residents use for instance for the safe and secure storage of bicycles and prams.

Environmental considerations were addressed throughout the scheme in terms of both material specification and construction methods. Being a little ahead of its time our proposal to install a rainwater harvesting system fell foul at the last moment to the account knife.

The building structure is of precast concrete floors set upon an insitu concrete block cross-wall system with an insitu cast concrete staircase. Floating floors are installed throughout to ensure a pleasant feel under foot. Externally a silicon resin high performance render finish was applied onto thermal insulation boards. Purpose made windows and lightweight steel balconies [to all the units] modulate the facades. Unfortunately the intended natural silver colour of the galvanised steelwork had to be over-painted at the insistence of the local authority in a hideous brown paint. The curved natural finish aluminium roof has gable-clad panels of cedar boards. All the external materials are long life, low maintenance items.