Description
Bourbon Lane creates an innovative typology for high density family homes by placing, for example, one bedroom maisonettes over two bedroom maisonettes and avoiding the need for lifts. It is an intensive and highly developed site, without leftover space but with a clear demarcation between ‘private’ and ‘public’ spaces. Bourbon Lane has its own unique identity and there is already a well developed sense of community.
Housing mix
Bourbon Lane is made up of 78 units, 45 socially rented homes and 33 in shared ownership, including four homes for wheelchair users and four Lifetime Homes . The buildings are mostly three or four storeys high, the limit of permissible height without having to install lifts. An audacious 7m double-height cantilever at one end of five blocks signals the entrance to the units, with dual aspect houses and flats behind.
Layout
Bourbon Lane is arranged in 8 blocks, radiating from a 10m high ‘citadel’ boundary wall on the north and east sides. The entrance to the site is off Sterne Street, a quiet street with 2-storey terraced housing on both sides. A new road meanders along the south west boundary with parking bays tucked into the landscaped strip, screening the development from the rear gardens of neighbouring houses.
All homes have access to generous private terraces, gardens or cantilevered balconies. The distance between the blocks is approximately 15m, a direct influence from France, where more intimate street widths are common. This is below the local authority’s recommended minimum standard but perfectly acceptable in practice. There is no feeling of overlooking or loss of daylight and most units benefit from morning and afternoon sun as there are no north or north east facing homes.
External spaces
External spaces alternate between hard landscaped communal areas and private gardens with proprietary garden sheds. Refuse areas at the road end of the gardens are carefully screened with well detailed timber fencing. Each landscaped court has its own individual design and is planted with either cherry, birch or alder trees. A grey block pavior has been used for most of the hard landscaped surfaces. All communal areas and parking bays are overlooked and informally secured by intelligent design.
Shared surfaces make overlooked home zones possible and small children can play outside in safety. Reduced car parking provision expands the space available for community use and contributes to the relaxed nature of the development.
