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A New Great Estate – Chobham Farm

Part 2 Project 2012
Steven Harp
Kayleigh Hutton
Kingston University Kingston | UK
A light industrial estate on the eastern fringe of the new Olympic Park, is a very relevant and realistic site for a new housing estate in London's East End. The London 2012 Olympics has created a huge boom in residential construction in the area. However most of this development is unsatisfactory, blighted by the ‘landmark development’; oblivious to its relationship with the existing context and neighbours, creating incoherent pieces of city, competing for attention and prominence. This project proposes an alternative approach to large scale residential development. One which is relevant, realistic and operable within the confines of today’s neo-liberal economy but that can evoke the spirit of the great estates of London’s past.

New estates tend to be master planned by one architect, portioned off and developed independent of each other without further dialogue. Understanding these conditions we too have provided a master plan to be sold and developed by multiple parties. However, what separates the proposal from other developments is the existence of a Rule Book, given out to each developer or architect responsible for a parcel of land. This Rule Book dictates a clear set of rules and guidance that must be adhered to. These range from an urban level of landscaping approach (mature trees, densely planted) and infrastructure design (multipurpose follies) to a micro level of guttering, (considered and celebrated).

The whole estate is designed around the principles of the English Village, from the master plan’s focus around ‘village greens’ to the architecture’s open referencing of the great housing architects of Britain’s past such as Lutyens, Shaw & Scott. It understands the current market preference for 'tradition' but does not blindly follow a romantic fallacy or become pastiche. The development is proud to be of the 21st century, utilising and celebrating the latest construction techniques and technologies. Prefabricated Cross Laminated Timber and Precast Glass Reinforced Concrete are used across the site alongside masonry and more familiar materials.

The result of this project would not only create a coherent and refined new piece of city, but create a vibrant and ultimately happy place for people to live.

Steven Harp
Kayleigh Hutton

Tutor(s)


2012
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