Rear window

Architect Piercy Conner has demonstrated how to add more daylight and glazing to houses, without putting occupants under the constant gaze of passers-by. Its winning design in Velux’s Lifetime Housing Competition, which is to be developed by housing association Circle 33, has a fortress-like street elevation with narrow arrow-slit windows, but behind that has a conservatory-style first floor. The combination works well environmentally, says Circle 33 development co-ordinator John Wheelhouse: “The unglazed areas have high insulation and the conservatory concept gives solar gain.”

The three-bedroom house has been designed to provide flexible living in an urban setting. At first floor level there is a multi-purpose studio space, lined along one side with Velux GDL rooflights. The ground floor living quarters have three double bedrooms, each containing a retreat for work or play. Folding storage walls and furniture allow the space to respond to occupants changing lifestyles and the floor plan itself can be changed. The homes’ envelope is made from zinc, western red cedar and blue glazed tiles.

Circle 33 is looking to acquire a site where it hopes to develop 10 of the homes, for a range of tenures, depending on development cost. Build cost for a 95 m2 unit is currently estimated at £61 750.