Commendation for Best Use of a Brownfield Site
PARKMOUNT DEMO
This Parkmount housing scheme is claimed to be the first demonstration in Northern Ireland of the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal technology, but more significantly as far as local people are concerned it is a much-appreciated high-quality development on one of the main arterial roads out of Belfast that sorely needed regeneration, as the photograph shows.
The development consist of 58 apartments in five blocks that reduce in height along the gently curved site, the highest South-facing sloping roofs incorporating the photovoltaic technology. This shallow crescent of buildings also encloses a communal garden and parking area that is sheltered from the traffic and looks eastward to a landscape of gently rising woodland with hills beyond. Each apartment has a balcony to enjoy the restful views of Belfast Lough, Cave Hill country park and Cavehill itself, once home to the kings of Ulster, the O'Neills.
Horizon Buildings has 56 two-bedroom apartments and four one-bedroom apartments, whose selling prices were just £55,000 to £65,000 (a level unknown in London and the South East these days). Their design provides simple and reliable technical solutions to environmental issues, making them economic to run and maintain.
An integrated strategy for reducing energy use and carbon dioxide emissions combines high insulation with advanced boiler technology, sealed construction and controlled ventilation. The project achieves a Very Good rating in the Building Research Establishment's EcoHomes scheme, with an average SAP (Standard Assessment Proceure) of more than 100, and apartments with a supplementary renewable energy from PVs score 115. Less technically, the flexible design of the apartments anticipates changes in work patterns and lifestyles. Well worthy of a commendation for Best Use of a Brownfield Site.
Homebuilder: CARVILL GROUP LIMITED
75 Derriaghy Industrial Park, Dunmurry. Belfast BT17 9HU
Tel 028 9061 5624
Fax 028 9062 4200
Website: www.carvill-group.com
Contact: Christopher Carvill, Managing Director. Email: postmaster@carvill-group.com
Architects: RICHARD PARTINGTON ARCHITECTS LIMITED
10 Stock Orchard Street, London N7 9RW
Tel 020 7619 7400
Fax 020 7619 7401
Website: www.rparchitects.co.uk
Contact: Victoria Kirk, Office Manager.
Email: post@rparchitects.co.uk
Landscape: DAVID CLARKE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
645 Shore Road, Whiteabbey Village, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim BT37 0ST
Tel 028 9086 7337
Fax 028 9085 1771
Website: www.david-clarke.net
Contact: David Clarke, Principal.
Email: david@david-clarke.net