Completion at Melfield Gardens

We are delighted to announce the completion of our Melfield Gardens project for Phoenix Community Housing.

 

Sustainable and inter-generational

This highly sustainable, intergenerational residential scheme has been delivered on an infill site in Beckenham, Lewisham; and has provided 30 affordable and flexible homes for residents aged 55 and above. It has also delivered two four-bedroom homes for eight post-graduate students from Goldsmiths, University of London.

The students live with a “good neighbour” agreement. This means that in return for lower rent, each will spend a number of hours assisting older residents through company and/or participating in activities in the development’s beautiful community spaces.

The homes are designed to attract older residents looking to downsize by providing ready, affordable and attractive spaces to live and socialise. Each dwelling is a dual aspect and flexible ‘one-bedroom-plus’ model. This incorporates an additional ‘study/hobby room’ with a pocket door, providing residents with greater flexibility to tailor their homes to their own requirements as they age in place, in line with HAPPI principles.

As well as the social aspect, Melfield Gardens has been delivered to achieve Passivhaus certification as part of our client’s steps towards a zero carbon future.

Everything from building position and window placement to fabric and electrical installations has been considered to prevent heat loss in winter and overheating in summer.

The scheme consists of two blocks set around a pedestrian-prioritised central green space which retains public routes through the site to Beckenham Hill Station.

A challenging location

With residences closely bordering two sides of the site, establishing good neighbourly relationships was essential.

On one side of the site was Milcroft House, a 1950s six storey fully occupied residential block. We needed to plan our site layout carefully so that their fire brigade access and parking was maintained at all times. In order to keep the emergency services access unimpeded, we installed a step-free ramp to Milcroft House.

A rail line ran in close proximity to the western border of the site. We needed to liaise closely with Network Rail during construction to establish a tower crane layout that would not result in oversailing the rail line.

Delivering real social value

We also delivered excellent Social Value on the project through working with the Construction Youth Trust, and building up a good relationship with Sedgehill Academy in Lewisham. Collaborative events with Sedgehill Academy delivered four site visits for Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 students where they were able to visit the site, walk around the project in progress, ask questions, and see trades at work. We also went to the Academy for educational visits where site staff gave presentations on different roles on site and construction techniques to spark an interest in students who might want to pursue careers in the industry.

Following community consultation, we installed a new pedestrian crossing near the site. When a nearby resident working nights was unable to rest during the day due to the construction works going on outside, the site team supplied and installed new double-glazed windows to the front of the property.

This has been a tremendous project and the finished scheme is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our project team, the design team and our many local stakeholders.

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