Saint-Gobain Isover, leading developer of sustainable insulation solutions to protect both the natural and built environments, has revealed the eight shortlisted entries in its 2012 Architectural Student Design Competition. The selected teams will showcase their designs at Ecobuild, where the three UK finalists will be announced in an award ceremony at 15.00 on 21 March (stand N230).
Now in its eighth year, the 2012 competition required students to create a sustainable community living plan for around 12 to 15 families, located in Nottingham’s Trent Basin at the border between the city and the industrial zone. The development must be designed in accordance with Saint-Gobain Isover Multi-Comfort principles, encompassing Passivhaus components.
The architecture, which can also include urban space solutions for the immediate vicinity, should also help breathe life into the existing urban area. Teams have been asked to take into account social and economic aspects, as well as constructional considerations, to design a sustainable neighbourhood in keeping with the local surroundings.
Shortlisted designs include:
Trent Basin Urban Regeneration, Nottingham
A mixed-use live / work scheme combining family housing with office space and community facilities, the project proposes that existing warehouses can be converted into usable workshops and gallery spaces, providing a catalyst for more comprehensive regeneration of the site.
Plans include a ‘green corridor’, connecting the site to existing transport routes and proposals include a mix of waterside living, garden terraces and commercial use of current buildings.
Trent Basin Eco Housing
A contemporary ‘village in the city’ for young professionals the properties in this development sit alongside the basin and comprise two floors above ground and a basement floor.
The design concept takes a standard semi-detached house layout, puts it into terrace form and then modifies it to create a taller, semi-detached format which can be replicated and reconfigured across the site to form an urban village.
Trent Quay
Trent Quay uses existing buildings on the site, rejuvenating the area with a brewery and riverside bar and restaurant, as well as a fresh food market for local produce.
All new buildings on the site are constructed using the Brettstapel solid timber construction system, which uses no glue or nails. Material is fabricated from softwood timber posts connected with hardwood dowels, using timber which would otherwise be unsuitable for construction to form load-bearing floors, walls and roof panels.
Green LACE
Providing a sustainable hub for Nottingham, Green LACE combines cultural attractions, commercial properties and residential accommodation in a mix of new and refurbished structures.
The existing warehouse has been redeveloped as a new ‘Lace Museum and Art Gallery’, while a central ‘Green Area’, comprising a series of gardens, helps to separate private and public areas of the development.
Trent Basin Sustainable Regeneration
Trent Basin Sustainable Regeneration focuses on the regeneration of existing buildings and the creation of a sustainable Multi-Comfort community with living and working accommodation to achieve a zero carbon living style.
It contains a variety of properties aimed at retired people, couples and families and also uses one of the site’s existing buildings to create a riverside sports facility.
The Regeneration
This project combines the renovation of the site’s two warehouses with the addition of living and working accommodation to form a well-organised mix of housing, community facilities and shared spaces.
The streets are pedestrian and cycle friendly with car parking spaces kept outside the accommodation space to minimise traffic on the site and encourage the use of more environmentally friendly travel in the form of public transport.
Sustainable Regeneration: Nottingham River Trent Basin
The Sustainable Regeneration project includes the regeneration of existing buildings on the site, with interior spaces enhanced via the integration of skylights, atrium space and facades upgraded with the installation of horizontal and vertical solar shading devices.
The housing masterplan has been created based on ‘high density and low rise’ principles. Various user profiles and requirements have been taken into consideration, helping to create a diverse and varied development.
Trent Bank
Taking inspiration from a number of successful self build sites across the UK, Trent Bank proposes a self built neighbourhood at the site with an on-site community factory providing the materials needed to facilitate open source construction methods.
The model aims to promote the development of community resilience, new skill sets and a better deal for residents.
All the shortlisted entries can be viewed online at www.multicomforthouse.co.uk/student-competition-2012/shortlist/ and scale models and posters will be on display on stand N230 at Ecobuild. The three winning UK teams will receive cash prizes of up to £1,000 and will go on to compete in the eighth international final, which takes place from 22 – 25 May in Bratislava, Slovakia, featuring a top prize of €1,500.
For more information, visit www.multicomforthouse.co.uk, follow us on Twitter @IsoverUK or join our Isover UK group on Facebook.
