The national standard for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods.
2010 Standard achievers announced
10 September 2010
A record 55 new housing schemes have achieved a Building for Life standard this year, 50 per cent more than last year. This is the largest number in the eight years of the initiative.
The schemes have scored more than 14 out or 20 against the Building for Life criteria, the national standard for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods. It is the first time more than half of all entries (92) achieved a standard, suggesting an overall rise in housing quality.
A total of 20 schemes have achieved a gold standard, compared to 12 last year; and 35 a silver standard, compared to 24.
The schemes suggest that housebuilders are now seizing the opportunity to play a leading role in creating successful places, not just building individual homes. This can be seen across all 55 schemes, regardless of their size or location.
You can see pictures of these housing developments, with team credits, below. For quick reference, the list of schemes without pictures or credits is given here.
Gold standards include Burnhill Green in Staffordshire, just ten homes but still sets a benchmark for energy efficient rural development.
A record has been made with Fairfield Park in Bedfordshire - at 1,200 homes it is the largest multi-developer scheme ever to qualify, and achieved Gold.
Ashley Vale in Bristol is the first self build development to achieve a Building for Life standard. The lively mix of 37 homes provides a delightful sense of place. Another Bristol scheme, the Robinson Building, has given a landmark industrial building a new lease of life. The Victorian factory which pioneered branded packaging now provides 100 homes.
Plymouth scored particularly well this year. Five schemes achieved Gold, including Cargo Millbay which mixes business space and homes to make life better in a challenging locality; and Mills Bakery, a sensitive conversion of a waterfront Grade I listed building.
Stonebridge Hillside Hub in Harlesden is an exceptional scheme in north west London for a site that certainly needs one. It is lifting the area and setting the bar for subsequent regeneration.
Schemes which qualified for Silver include Cometa In High Wycombe – a scheme of 12 homes which punches above its weight in the contribution it makes to local character and street scene.
A development for older people, Northampton Place in Slough, provides retail and leisure facilities for residents and an enclosed inner courtyard designed to encourage them to socialise.
Wayne Hemingway, chair of Building for Life, says: ‘Building for Life has helped developers and planners talk the same language and by working together they’re creating far better places to live.’
Gold standards
Astor Court, Plymouth
Cedar Homes Limited; Architects Design Group
This scheme gives new life to an attractive historic building, providing 24 homes and making a valuable contribution to the revival of the Plymouth Barbican area.
Photo by CABE/Dominic Church
Avante, Coxheath
Crest Nicholson; Sheppard Robson
A distinctive scheme for 150 homes which makes good use of the £60,000 house and benefits from a well-considered masterplan.
Photo by Crest Nicholson
be: Newhall, Essex
Linden Homes Eastern Ltd; Alison Brooks Architects; Galliford Try Partnership
A design which develops the terraced house typology in an interesting way, providing a welcome addition to the Newhall development.
Photo by CABE
Bolanachi Building, Bermondsey Spa, London
The Hyde Group; Levitt Bernstein; Rooff Ltd
A very well considered response to the site, with lovely communal areas. The scheme offers interesting variety across its 138 homes, with careful detailing and a high quality finish.
Photo by Levitt Bernstein
Burnhill Green, South Staffordshire
The Crown Estate; Watson, Bertram & Fell; J S Seddon Ltd
Burnhill Green is a benchmark for small scale rural development. Its traditional appearance gives few clues to its advanced construction techniques, or the features which give enhanced environmental performance.
Photo by CABE
Cargo Millbay, Plymouth
English Cities Fund; Ferguson Mann; Ardmore Construction Ltd
An imaginative scheme which works cleverly with its surroundings in a challenging locality. The mix of business space with residential use will support the regeneration of the area.
Photo by CABE
Claredale Street, Bethnal Green
Tower Hamlets Community Housing; Karakusevic Carson Architects; Hill Partnership
A modern scheme that integrates well with the surrounding area and creates a public space which though small significantly improves connections to the surrounding streets.
Photo by CABE/Dominic Church
Crown Street Mews, St Ives, Cambridgeshire
Campbell Buchanan
A fine mews infill project, choosing to use durable materials which will age gracefully
Photo by Campbell Buchanan
Fairfield Park, Stotfold, Bedfordshire
Mid Beds District Council; Tetlow King Ltd; PJ Livesey (Listed Building, associated communal areas); Fairfield Redevelopments Ltd (enabling development); Stamford Homes; Persimmon Homes; Bovis; Twigden Homes; Taylor Wimpey; David Wilson Homes; Miller Homes; P.J. Livesey
Transformation of a former hospital site to create 1,200 homes. A high-quality development which benefits from a coherent masterplan.
Photo by Central Bedfordshire Council
Falcon Works, Southwark
Hexagon Housing Association; Alan Camp Architects LLP; Osborne
Falcon Works makes clever use of its long shallow site, with staggered blocks allowing for variety in public space.
Photo by Alan Camp Architects LLP
Friars Lane, Plymouth
Pemberley Developments; Rogers & Haynes Architects
An impressive response to the context of the Barbican Conservation Area, using a palette of good quality, locally distinctive materials. The scheme also improves diversity of tenure in the area.
Photo by Plymouth City Council
Grainey's Joinery, Plymouth
McAleer & Rushe Ltd; Lacey Hickie Caley Ltd
This is a well-designed scheme, rising to the challenge of relating to both of the very different types of building adjacent to it.
Photo by Lacey Hickie Caley Ltd
Mills Bakery, Royal William Yard, Plymouth
Urban Splash Build; Gillespie Yunnie
Seventy eight homes provided through a sensitive conversion of a Grade I listed building with adjacent waterfront, completed to a very high standard.
Photo by Gillespie Yunnie Architects
OneBrighton, Brighton
Crest Nicholson, BioRegional Quintain; Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios; Denne Construction
A lively, well-designed car-free development. It maximises plot ratio and neatly utilises a steep site for 172 homes, and embraces zero carbon living.
Photo by CABE
Printworks, Elephant & Castle
First Base; Glenn Howells Architects; Laing O'Rourke
Printworks makes good use of a challenging inner-city infill site, with high-quality finishes.
Photo by Jake Morley
Rochester Row, City of Westminster
Barratt West London; Assael Architecture Ltd
A sleek nine-storey residential block – an ingenious urban fix and an impressive work of architecture.
Photo by Assael Architecture Ltd
Stanmore Place, Harrow
St Edward Homes Ltd; Grid Architects Ltd; Berkeley Homes (Urban Renaissance) Ltd
The strong vision behind this development is shining through these first two phases, which provide 194 homes.
Photo by CABE
Stonebridge Hillside Hub, Harlesden
The Hyde Group with Rydon Construction; Edward Cullinan Architects; Rydon Construction; REAL; Inplace
An exceptional scheme for a site that desperately needs one. As the final stage of a 14-year regeneration plan, it lifts the whole area.
Photo by Simon Feneley
Thornberry House, Ealing
Catalyst Housing Group; PCKO Architects; Willmott Dixon
A good urban infill scheme, using robust materials and detailing. Most of the 29 homes are double or even triple aspect.
Photo by CABE
Waverley Gardens, Bristol
Brunelcare; NOMA Architects; Leadbitter
This scheme provides very sheltered housing with a strong focus on communal facilities, making impressive use of a difficult site.
Photo by NOMA Architects
Silver standards
Ashley Vale Self Build Development, Bristol
Ashley Vale Action Group
A very interesting community-led development of 37 homes, creating a new neighbourhood with a distinct character and identity.
Photo by Ecomotive.org
Baden Powell Close, Dagenham
Southern Housing Group; Peter Barber Architects Ltd; Kier Partnership Homes Ltd
An unconventional but nevertheless successful approach to solving the challenges of a small site.
Photo by CABE/Dominic Church
Barking Central, London
Redrow Regeneration (Barking) Ltd; London Borough of Barking & Dagenham; Allford Hall Monaghan Morris; Ardmore Group
This vibrant Lemonade Building is the final phase of a high profile five block development that signalled the regeneration of Barking had begun. Barking Central sits in great public space, and the housing has paid for a new library and learning centre.
Photo by CABE/Dominic Church
Barton Hill, Bristol
Sovereign South and West; Kendall Kingscott Ltd; Leadbitter Construction
This small mixed-use development manages to provide a new focus for the neighbourhood.
Photo by Kendall Kingscott Ltd
Beaufort Park, Barnet, London
St George Central London; Broadway Malyan; Ardmore
The scheme of 676 homes is impressive in the way it delivers a vision for new urban quality for Barnet, with very good public realm.
Photo by CABE/Dominic Church
Bow Cross, Tower Hamlets, London
Swan Housing Association; PRP Architects; Countryside Properties PLC (in partnership)
Bow Cross successfully stitches a difficult site back into the neighbourhood and contributes positively to a neglected area.
Photo by Swan Housing Group
Brandwood End, Kings Heath
Waterloo Housing Association; Birmingham City Council; Axis Design Architects; Frank Haslam Milan and Co Ltd; Thomas Value Construction; Marbury Hills
An attractive and well-conceived scheme providing 304 homes, with a traditional design approach.
Photo by Axis Design Architects
Burtons Farm Park, North Solihull
West Mercia Homes Ltd; RPS Planning and Development Ltd; Bellway Homes (West Midlands Division) Ltd
A thoughtful scheme which delivers real improvements to the neighbourhood.
Photo by Tony Charnock Photography
River Street, Cabot Circus, Bristol
Bristol Alliance; Chapman Taylor LLP; Wilkinson Eyre Architects; Sir Robert McAlpine
The curved terrace of these three-storey town houses integrates well with the surrounding area and frames newly created public space – as well as cleverly screening a multi-storey car park.
Photo by Nathaniel Roberton
Chatham Place, Reading
Muse Developments; Cartwright Pickard Architects Ltd; Ardmore Construction Ltd; Leadbitter Group
The first stage of an ambitious project to regenerate and reconnect a run-down part of the city back to the centre, reducing the impact of Reading’s inner ring road.
Photo by CABE
Christopher Thomas Court, Bristol
Jephson Housing Association; AWW; E G Carter
An interesting project aiming to balance new and old. It creates a public link which improves the permeability of this quarter of the city.
Photo by AWW
Cometa, High Wycombe
Aston Homes Ltd; Richard Clark Chartered Architects; West Rose Construction Ltd
This small scheme goes beyond providing 12 good quality homes – it makes a really positive contribution to local character and street scene.
Photo by GMH Marketing
Ducrow Court, Bristol
Knightstone Housing Association; gcp Chartered Architects; Leadbetter Construction
A development of 69 homes to a design which benefits from a robust choice of materials and good detailing.
Photo by gcp Chartered Architects
Dunchurch Road, Rugby
Benfield Homes Ltd; HB Architects Ltd
An attractive, well-considered scheme which has taken a traditional design approach
Photo by Benfield Homes
Evolution Cove, Plymouth
Standerton House; The Architects Design Group
A distinctive building in a prominent location. The 59 home scheme responds well to the existing townscape and street pattern, although less successfully in terms of scale to the adjacent listed Stonehouse Barracks building.
Photo by Peter Curno/The Architects Design Group
Fitzwarren Street, Salford
Great Places Housing Group Ltd; Loop Architecture; Wates Living Space
A scheme which works well in terms of the quality of the architecture and its use of the terraced house typology.
Photo by CABE
288 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol
Simon Crocker, Simon James New Homes Ltd; Focus on Design
Ten homes in a carefully designed and appropriate response to a busy street setting.
Photo by Focus on Design
Goodwill Drive, Rayners Lane, Harrow
Home Group ; MEPK Architects; Willmott Dixon Housing Ltd
One phase of a bigger masterplan. Most of the 159 flats and houses are double aspect or even a welcome triple aspect.
Photo by MEPK Architects
Grosvenor Waterside, City of Westminster
Make; Broadway Malyan; Sheppard Robson; Twigg Brown Architects; Harper_Downie; Allies and Morrison Architects; Reid Architects; EPR Architects; St James Urban Living
An ambitious scheme in the high-value location of Chelsea, providing 856 homes in buildings and landscaping with a very high quality of detailing.
Photo by St James Urban Living
Grove House, Bristol
The Clifton Village Development Partnership; noma architects; Chamberlain Building Contractors; Urban Creation Limited
Sensitive treatment of a historic building which reinforces the character of the Clifton Conservation Area.
Photo by Urban Creation Limited
Harris Drive, Rugby
David Wilson Homes East Midlands
This scheme for 55 homes cleverly integrates existing trees and open space.
Photo by Ricky Smith/David Wilson Homes East Midlands
Hulton Square, Ordsall, Salford
LPC Living; Falconer Chester Hall; Dreamspace Construction
Well-structured terraces in a scheme which creates a good relationship with the park and the wider Ordsall area.
Photo by McCoy Wynne
James Place, Plymouth
University of Plymouth; Willmore Iles Architects Ltd
A distinctive scheme providing high-quality student accommodation and attractive public space within Plymouth university campus.
Photo by fotohaus ltd/Willmore Iles Architects Ltd
Jarvie Close, Sedgeford
Hastoe Housing Association; Parsons & Whittley; E N Suiter & Sons Ltd
This small affordable scheme makes the traditional local style feel contemporary. It takes sustainability seriously, in both construction method and materials and in energy and lifestyle management.
Photo by Parsons & Whittley
Middleton, Wyndham Square, Plymouth
Stevenson Homes Ltd; Rogers & Haynes Architects
Successful re-use for an existing historic building within a Conservation Area.
Photo by Plymouth City Council
Northampton Place, Slough
Hanover Housing Association; Archadia Chartered Architects; Feltham Construction Ltd
This is a good example of providing attractive accommodation for older residents within a suburban neighbourhood.
Photo by Hanover Housing Association
Orient House, Kettering
East Midlands Housing Association; Gordon White & Hood Ltd; Mansell Construction Services Ltd
Impressive re-use of an important historic building in Kettering, providing 46 affordable homes.
Photo by Gordon White & Hood Ltd
Parkwest, West Drayton
St George West London Ltd; PRC Architect and Planning Ltd
This development of 574 homes has achieved higher density and improved local public realm within a suburban context of indifferent quality.
Photo by CABE
Plymstock Library, Plymouth
Signpost Housing Association; Rogers & Haynes Architects
The scheme successfully reinforces the street scene and delivers a housing mix that responds to local needs. Good access to local facilities and public transport.
Photo by Plymouth City Council
Queen Mary's Place, Wandsworth
St James Developments; Omega Partnership
Positive attributes here include good landscaping and generally high quality of materials and consistent detailing across a development for 359 homes.
Photo by St James Developments
Robinson Building, Bristol
Urbis Developments T/A Voramex Ltd; O'LearyGoss Architects; Urbis Build
A new lease of life for a south Bristol landmark: Robinsons were international pioneers of branded packaging. The building’s conversion into 100 homes respects the 1846 fabric while introducing an impressive atrium space.
Photo by O'LearyGoss Architects 2007-2010
Spencer Place, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke
LPC Living; Falconer Chester Hall; Dreamspace Construction
A good variety of housing types and tenures – and for this location, an impressive number with gardens. All alongside generous green communal space.
Photo by David Wilson Homes
St Andrew's, Bromley-by-Bow
Barratt Homes London; Allies and Morrison; Barratt Homes London
A large east London housing scheme which feels it would be a good place to live, with a strong sense of place.
Photo by CABE
The Ledge, Fishersgate, West Sussex
HydeMartlet; RH Partnership Architects; Denne Construction
Carefully designed buildings providing well-constructed and well-finished new homes.
Photo by Steve Hawkins
Water Colour, Redhill
Linden Homes (SE) Ltd; John Thompson & Partners
Exceptionally strong landscaping sets this scheme apart. It creates a series of pleasant public spaces and gives the entire development of 523 homes a distinctive character.
Photo by CABE
