Housing for Small Settlements

This project was based in Chepstow, a small town in Monmouthshire, well known for its Castle which sits on the edge of a cliff above the river, with the high street running alongside, however, there is currently a distinct lack of connection between the two. The site has a steep topography and is North facing which can be both a challenge and an opportunity, but it provides very good views of the castle.

The site is close to a local school and the amenities within Chepstow, such as, shops and public transport, making it an ideal location to design for families with children. A rise in the number of children looked after by authorities in Wales and the current need for foster carers within Monmouthshire created an opportunity to design a scheme which would give back to the local community and help create a nurturing environment to those who need it by designing dwellings and a community hall for families who foster children.

As a feeling of connection is an important value within a foster family, this aligned with the concept for the site, creating a key thread of connection, care, and stability to drive the project. To take advantage of the steep topography the houses sit within the ground and stack down the slope, creating a feeling of a grounded and stable environment, which is important for foster children. By including a pitched roof on the south elevation, sky lights could be used for the hallway and bedrooms. This shape in section also informed the asymmetric shape in elevation which created a form resembling the Welsh vernacular architecture of cottages. The community hall is near the start of the scheme, as it is the most public area, and the dwellings are connected by ramps which descend to a platform where they can relax and spend time outdoors enjoying the views of the castle. The dwellings are designed to encourage family interaction and connection with the living spaces having sliding doors to allow more open plan or more private areas, so they are flexible to support the needs of the families.

This means it is less overwhelming for the children when they first arrive as they can have smaller more private family rooms and spaces where they can be alone if they need it, and these can gradually open when appropriate. Having multiple living spaces allows the rooms to be adapted to the family and their current needs with space to engage in activities