Architecture

The New Avenue architectural design leverages the site’s natural topography to create a harmonious and community-focused development. By strategically positioning buildings within the site's hidden valley, the project minimises visual impact on the surrounding area while preserving the existing residential character. The design's sensitivity to the topography is evident in the varying heights of the blocks, ensuring a seamless transition between the development and neighbouring houses.

Furthermore, the project cleverly leverages the site's constraints to maximise community benefits. Through careful planning, the number of homes has nearly tripled while maintaining the same level of affordable housing. Transforming disconnected blocks into a network of streets and green spaces enhances accessibility and connectivity, fostering a vibrant neighbourhood. This approach not only addresses the site's challenges but also significantly improves the quality of life for residents.

New Avenue enhances connectivity and accessibility through several key design features. A wide central street along the line of the culvert, accompanied by an adjoining landscaped swale, guides movement through the site from Avenue Road and connects new streets with the existing network. At the upper west end, a landscaped sunken garden with a play space, overlooked by mews houses and flats, provides communal recreational space. Additionally, a boardwalk over another landscaped sunken garden, part of the flood mitigation measures, connects to an existing footpath leading to the wider neighbourhood, including a school and Oakwood underground station. These elements ensure that the development is well-integrated with the surrounding area, promoting easy access and connectivity for residents

The project incorporates several architectural features and amenities to enhance residents' quality of life. All homes are designed with generous private amenities, such as front and rear gardens for ground floor homes, and projecting and semi-recessed balconies or roof terraces for flats. The design includes dual aspect layouts for all two and three-bedroom homes, large windows for ample natural light, and some homes with bay windows and rooms receiving light from two sides.

The mews houses and flats feature distinctive roofscapes with gables, and are arranged around landscaped squares, adding to the aesthetic appeal and creating communal spaces. The project also ensures inclusivity and adaptability, with homes meeting wheelchair accessibility standards and providing gentler routes through the site for ease of use by both young and elderly residents. Additionally, a community centre and nursery are centrally located within the scheme, fostering a sense of community and providing essential services close to home.