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First 'Design for Manufacture' homes

Posted: 04/07/2007

One of the the first developments to be built as a result of the governments 'Design for Manufacture'£60,000 house competition is George Wimpey's 145-home development at Oxley Woods, Milton Keynes, designed by architects Rogers Stirk and Harbour, formerly the Richard Rogers Partnership.

The new homes feature innovative designs which will set them apart from traditional houses and lay down a template for other builders to follow. The properties have been constructed from sustainable materials and employ a variety of green features including an ‘EcoHat’ – which allows hot air to be reused to optimise energy consumption and provide passive solar water heating – as well as exceptional layouts to maximise space and light.

All of the homes on the site have been designed to meet the Government’s sustainability targets through using high levels of insulation and controlled ventilation in a bid to reduce carbon emissions. Each property will also achieve the maximum National Home Energy Rating – a measure of heating, lighting and appliances.

Graeme Dodds, divisional managing director at George Wimpey, said: “Climate change is high on the agenda and developers in the UK need to start playing their part and making tangible contributions to eco housing. The ongoing focus on the environment will not only impact on building policy, but also on the lives of consumers. We are extremely proud of Oxley Woods, which has allowed us to offer greater choice for the eco-conscious customer.”

The homes at Oxley Woods - which some have described as 'flat-pack' - have been constructed off-site to allow each house to be quickly and economically erected while maintaining build quality. As well as being cost effective and ecologically sound the houses are positioned in a way that aims to encourage people to interact.

Each house has also been designed to feature two distinct zones – the ‘service zone’ which will incorporate bathroom, utility and staircase areas, and an uncluttered ‘living zone’ comprising living room, dining room and bedrooms.

Richard Rogers of RSHP, said: “Our partnership with George Wimpey has given us an opportunity to take a fresh look at housing design. By working closely together, we have been able to develop an approach which links construction closely to design, giving real value to the home owner. The scheme at Oxley Woods is highly flexible and sustainable and will, we hope, provide homes for a diverse community for many generations to come.”

The 145 homes at Oxley Woods will be in 10 different designs and houses will be available with two, three, four and five bedrooms.

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