OVERVIEW:
A former children’s hospital sat on the 0.33HA central Swanley site in Kent prior to the Client’s 1970’s sheltered housing provision. Having reached the end of its life, wholesale fit for purpose new social housing outweighed refurbishment of the shared HMOs to provide a truly sustainable provision of 22 new much needed 3 bedroom, six person houses.

COMMUNITY IMPACT/VALUE:
The 11 socially rented and 11 shared ownership properties make the most of natural daylight through orientation and comprehension of the origional, well-considered hospital footprints.

Swanley’s rich Victorian history as a thriving horticultural and healing environment served the sick of London for generations. This ideal of social prescription saw wellbeing thrive. It seems only right that our project respects this and provides high quality social housing in this mature verdant setting.

We have retained all 25 mature trees, including 12 oaks, 3 large horse chestnuts and several beautiful signature cherry and maples, with approximately 1500sqm of new and enhanced existing green habitat.

Densification of the site was possible due to the innovative housing typologies set around a central courtyard, landscaped to provide functional car parking and useable community amenity.

TECHNICAL INSIGHTS/CHALLENGES:
Our approach of contextual and environmental conditions builds on West Kent Housing Association’s aspirations for best in class. With 100% A-rated SAP (2023) certification, this fabric first approach sees sustainable principles supported with PV arrays and locally sourced material selection. The palette of natural tones ensures the contemporary robust brickwork designs bed the highly energy efficient housing typologies into the existing varied local vernacular.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
The delivery stages will be supported through the appointment of local trades and contractors to ensure locally needed housing also supports local jobs and training.