Runner up - Belfast Telegraph/Ulster Bank Excellence Award 2007

This development is located on the site of an old railway track in a small village of around 1,200 inhabitants that in current years has been steadily growing in population. The site is bordered on the right and front by distinctive residential dwellings that provide a sense of enclosure and privacy to the site. To the rear and left of the site stands a mature spread of trees and hedgerow that provide a natural buffer from a rural farmland area.
 
Our aim was to transform it from undeveloped wasteland to high quality affordable housing, which was at a high demand in this locality. A distinct quality was desired to make an impact amongst the built environment. However, the styling was derived from the provincial classical generation of housing that helped generate some of the character of the local area.
 
Looking to reflect the primary appearance of the surrounding area the houses are constructed in blockwork with a smooth sand/cement rendered finish, have a salvaged natural slate roof with the boundaries set out using timber fencing as is consistent with much of the surrounding buildings.
 
We believe we have created a high quality, specific and individual residential development that not only respects the established dwellings in the area in terms of form, scale and orientation but also enhances them.