ASTLEY HOUSE
After finding the site in house and taking it to a developer we work closely with, DFA has submitted a planning application for 28 units on this 0.28Ha site located adjacent to the Lewes Conservation area in the South Downs National Park.
After finding the site in house and taking it to a developer, Dowen Farmer have submitted a planning application for 28 units on this 0.28Ha site located adjacent to the Lewes Conservation area in the South Downs National Park.
The unit breakdown includes 20 terraced houses and an apartment block of 8 units as well as a communal landscaped terrace area which provided amenity space for the residents which is used to disguise the car parking spaces.
The design concept was to continue the urban grain of the historic streetscape seen in Lewes and reflect the varying roof geometry which offers an interesting composition of pitches along the elevations.
The scheme followed a 'landscape led' design approach. Key to the design development was the sites adjacency to the 'The Gallops'; a stretch of public realm which connects Lewes into the South Downs National Park. The proposal looks to continue this stretch of landscaping along the site, with the inclusion of varying communal and private green spaces stitching through the development.
Scale – The terracing down of the apartment block towards the housing reflects the change in scale one sees upon arrival into Lewes from the West, with this site highlighted in the Neighbourhood Plan as a ‘Gateway to Lewes’.
The scale and location of the varying house types upon the site has also been crafted in order to respect the existing street scene along Spital and De Montfort Rd.
Scale – The terracing down of the apartment block towards the housing reflects the change in scale one sees upon arrival into Lewes from the West, with this site highlighted in the Neighbourhood Plan as a ‘Gateway to Lewes’.
The scale and location of the varying house types upon the site has also been crafted in order to respect the existing street scene along Spital and De Montfort Rd.
Amenity – Large, multi-level public amenity decks located in the heart of the scheme is elevated above ground to maximise views into the landscape. It also is used to disguises the car parking and further tie the scheme into the existing streetscape.
Different Typologies – A range of different unit types and sizes allow for a diverse scheme that can appeal to many different people and their needs. Mews style houses are located to the east of the scheme that follow on from the existing terrace run. A block of flats on the end of the street anchors the site and allows for smaller units to be constructed.
Massing – The local context of Lewes is predominantly a variety of different pitched town houses. This is then reflected within the massing of the scheme with multiple different roof pitches in different orientations which define each section of the proposal.
