Repopulating Iffley Meadows

Project details

Programme

Unit Studio 2A

Year 2

The scheme aims to create community housing that regenerates the landscape of Iffley Meadows through environmental stewardship. The project responds to Oxford’s housing crisis by increasing the value of flooded sites, otherwise deemed unusable by developers. This contemporary typology utilises buoyant structures, a modular thatching system and prefabricated CLT to provide a feasible strategy to inhabit Iffley canal. The scheme facilitates the exchange between existing canal-boaters and land-based communities through the provision of recreational space and amenities on the waterway. This culminates in an end-of-life strategy whereby the site is returned to Oxford's green belt, fully restored.

Students

Toby Prest Year 2 Forterra Drawing Prize
Anna Williams Year 2 Forterra Drawing Prize Forterra Technology Prize

Exchange with Landscape

The scheme aims to create a new rural typology for community housing that regenerates the landscape of Iffley Meadows through a model of environmental stewardship.

Inhabitation

The key aspect to the brief is the provision of affordable housing. Whilst minimising cost is a driver to the project, the final design proposes smaller singular houses rather than blocks of flats.

View from the Boathouse

The homes are served by a central boathouse. These provide communal cooking, eating and events spaces with the aim of taking space pressure off the houses.