Accord Housing Association: provides affordable housing, health and social care in the West Midlands and beyond.
Client
Approach
From the start of the project at Woden Road, the client expressed a clear aim for a high quality scheme. The development is a mix of apartments and houses for social housing clients. One clear aim of the design was to foster a sense of community within the scheme.
Initial sketch designs were produced to show how creating a series of tree lined squares with integrated play could provide this community feel. Play has been carefully designed into Woden Road with play points dotted throughout the scheme, creating a more natural, integrated feel, rather than separate fenced off spaces.
Impact
The design of the scheme went through a series of iterations following input from stakeholders such as the highways department and neighbours including St Stephen’s School, however, the main points of the design were retained, including the tree lined squares and areas of play.
The inclusion of a large number of mature, flowering trees have resulted in an exceptional display every spring, creating a distinctive look and further ensuring that Woden Road is not another typical development, but one that has been designed to create a sense of place for the residents. The development has been fully completed and is occupied by residents.
