Commendation for Best Large Housing Development of the Year
NAUTICAL BUT NICE
The Anchorage (Phase 1), Wivenhoe Quay, off Admiral's Walk, Wivenhoe, Essex CO7 9SZ
This is an exemplary development of traditional housing carefully designed to reflect the local vernacular, but it succeeds where so many homebuilders' attempts at pastiche fail. The difference here is so obvious, not only in the different house types (all with nautical names) that genuinely reflect the local vernacular, but also in the carefully thought-out variety of the roofscape, the materials and colours of the walls (which have 11 shades of pastel render) and the planning of the buildings, not just internally but in their layout. No regimented lines of identical houses here. Just note how the houses and roads turn the corners. How simple it is here but how effective.
These awards are designed to celebrate outstanding examples of housing design, layout and landscaping created by architects, landscape and interior designers for homebuilders. The judges tend to favour contemporary design because they believe in progress, as motor manufacturers and most product designers do, but there is always room for good - and correctly designed - traditional housing. Prince Charles and Poundbury have been unfairly attacked by too many virulent architects and critics, but their virtues (and of Mel Dunbar's original Essex Design Guide, which influenced the original master plan for Wivenhoe Quay prepared in 1989 by consultant architect Anthony Aspinall) can be seen here, and in other developments in this year's awards.
The Anchorage at Wivenhoe is a low-density development of 300 new homes on a 14-acre site divided into a series of clusters, each with its own distinctive character. The development has been built in four phases: the first two by Persimmon Homes, and the next two (illustrated here) by Bovis Homes. The latest phase of 34 houses is currently selling out at prices from £144,950 to £395,000. Not surprisingly, in addition to our commendation this year, Wivenhoe Quay has also been the subject of a case study by CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) in its Building for Life series.
HOMEBUILDER: BOVIS HOMES LIMITED
South East Region, Netherton House, The Plain, Long Stratton, Norwich NR15 2XG
Tel 01508 531163
Fax 01508 531340
Website: www.bovishomes.co.uk
Contact: Maggie Burgess, Sales Manager.
Email: maggie.burgess@bovishomes.co.uk
ARCHITECTS: BOVIS HOMES LIMITED
The Manor House, North Ash Road, Longfield, Kent DA3 8HQ
Tel 01474 876345
Fax 01474 876234
Website: www.bovishomes.co.uk
Contact: Keith Pye, Chief Architect.
Email: keith.pye@bovishomes.co.uk
and
MASTER PLANNERS AND ARCHITECTS: KSS DESIGN GROUP1 James Street, London W1U 1DR
Tel 020 7907 2222
Fax 020 7907 2299
Website: www.kssgroup.com
Contact: Martin Salter, Director.
Email: martin.salter@kssgroup.com