LONDON, U.K. - Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the international architecture firm founded by Pritzker Prize winner Richard Rogers, is best known for designing skyscrapers, museums and massive public spaces, like the new terminals at Heathrow Airport and Madrid's Barajas airport.
But these days the firm is winning accolades for a simple, understated, fairly boxy 145-unit housing development called Oxley Woods in the suburbs of Milton Keynes, north of London. Taking up a government challenge in 2005, the architects have pushed pre-fab concepts to a new level, creating energy-efficient, affordable apartments that dramatically lower construction costs. "These are like putting together Ikea furniture," said RSH+P project director Ivan Harbour.
The major elements are built in a factory, using recycled materials. Once the materials are on site, it takes about 18 hours to assemble a unit. The overall construction cost is under £60,000 (about $120,000). "They're built almost like a doll house," said project architect Andrew Partridge. "The walls go up first and then you pop in the floors."
Last month the Department for Communities and Local Government gave Oxley Woods, which was developed by George Wimpey, a national Housing Design Award, citing the project's breakthroughs in creating sustainable, affordable housing. In the award comments, the judges said the "homes create a rush of palpitations," citing a list of specific design and manufacturing breakthroughs. A red "eco-hat," which helps circulate air and works as a solar panel, helps cut carbon emissions anywhere from 25 to 50 percent.
With 80 of Oxley Woods' 145 units built, and customer satisfaction surveys high, the architects say they are exploring sites near London to take the concepts to a much larger scale. At six- or seven-stories, in higher densities, they believe they will be able to achieve greater efficiencies and economies, as well as style improvements. "The eventual incarnation of these buildings will probably look no different than conventional buildings today," Partridge said. "But they will actually perform better, be built better and be more sustainable."
Source: Herald Tribune