High Barrets

High Barrets is a new build development in Basildon Borough Council providing twenty-six new homes and improving the parking provision for the residents and wider area. The aim of the project is to contribute to the current Basildon Housing stock by addressing the urgent need of additional affordable social housing, whist achieving high standards of design, regulatory compliance and finance viability. The scheme will replace the existing blocks at High Barrets, which are suffering from structural damages and have been decanted as no longer fit to purpose.

The form of the proposed building responds to its context, stepping down from five to three-storeys to the South to provide a street frontage along Sandon Road emulating townhouses. By setting back from the neighbouring terraces to the West, the building forms communal amenity spaces and extensive green areas at the core of the site. The volume has been shaped with angled inset balconies and solar shading and side screens to minimise solar gain and maximise privacy.

Passive design strategies including recessed balconies and solar shading, dual aspect for enhanced crossed ventilation, in addition to using a ‘fabric first approach’, renewable energy with PV panels and a ‘full-electric’ approach, have played a crucial role in overcoming overheating and complying with the new Building Regulation, in specific AD part O, the improved AD Part L and the newly introduced AD Part S on provision of electric vehicles charging points.

Meticulous attention to the landscape strategy within the core of the site and careful design of the boundaries treatment have resulted in an improved use of the public green areas, and provide additional security to the residents and to the neighbouring sites.

The outlined measures show a holistic approach to energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental consciousness in the residential development. From lighting to appliances, water conservation, electric vehicle infrastructure, and solar energy generation, the scheme demonstrates a commitment to reducing energy consumption, lowering carbon footprint, and promoting a greener living environment, whilst bringing the wider community together.

Team:

• Keegans – Employers Agent, Quantity Surveyors, Principal Designers and Clerk of Works
• OHLA – Landscape Architects
• Simple Works – Structural Engineers
• Ridge – Mechanical & Electrical Engineers