GOLDEN MEDE HOUSING

Rothschild Foundation Housing Submitted for Planning

C.F. Møller Architects have recently submitted planning for two residential developments in Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire for the Rothschild Foundation. Responding to an ambi-tious brief, the project creates an organic extension to the village that offers a variety of high-quality sustainable homes.

The village of Waddesdon is a community with strong roots and a dynamic history, with connections to the Rothschild family dating back to the 19th century. The focal point of the village is Waddesdon Manor, a stately home built in the style of a French châteaux, built by the Rothschild’s in 1874. Lord Rothschild and the Rothschild Foundation have been patrons of contemporary art and architecture for many years, with a series of inno-vative commissions and projects including the award winning Rothschild Archive complex at Windmill Hill.

At the forefront of considerations has been the aim to make a delightful place for future residents and neighbours. All homes regardless of tenure or size have far reaching views and generously proportioned double aspect rooms with good daylight that open up to a variety of gardens.

Spanning two interlinked sites, the design proposal centres around shared groves of coppiced woodland and floral meadow grassland that provide links between gardens, existing trees and far reaching views to the fields beyond. Small ponds are integrated throughout to make spaces for rest and play whilst managing water run-off and enhancing biodiversity. The plan also minimises the impact of any motorised traffic.

A strong emphasis has been placed on creating a place that resonates with the crafts-manship found in local historic buildings. The sixty-five houses and ten apartments all share a distinctive roof profile and dormer windows to give an identity within the village and the façade materials of clay tile and timber have been selected to age gracefully with minimal maintenance over an extended design life.

A ‘fabric first’ sustainability approach is targeting a 20% carbon reduction improvement on current Building Regulations without the need for ‘bolt on’ technologies such as solar panels.