Dovehouse Court is a low-rise, community- centred, accessible housing, specifically designed as permanent housing for over-55-year-olds who are able to live independently within the community.
The 15 energy-efficient, one-bedroom homes, suitable for couples or single residents, are arranged as five bungalows and two apartment buildings. The scheme also includes a new office for the charity, adjacent to the homes, which accommodates up to four staff and has been futureproofed for conversion into a one-bedroom bungalow should needs change.
Dovehouse Court is constructed with a pre-manufactured timber structure system which ensures airtightness and thermal efficiency to meet Passivhaus standards, fulfilling the charity’s commitment to sustainability and drive to reduce the cost of living for its residents. It is a fully electric scheme. Air source heat pump (ASHP), hot water generation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) systems ensure the homes receive a constant supply of fresh filtered air and exceed current energy efficiency regulations.
This is an excellent example of collaboration between a client, developer and specialist contractor. Lowfields translated Mole architect’s designs to create a fully bespoke timber system, applying a fabric first approach that requires minimal energy. Lowfields utilised a 300mm deep Larsen Truss system which housed blown Warmcel insulation.
Adopting a fabric first approach to achieve energy efficiency, the design uses natural materials constructed simply, prioritising abundant daylight and clear sightlines. Each dual-aspect home has minimal corridor space and includes spacious and flexible rooms. Front doors are brightly coloured with no two colours repeated within each ‘building so that residents can identify their home easily, aiding recognition.
