British Home Awards 2011 Finalist
It is the fifth year of the British Home Awards (BHA) where once again today's architects can demonstrate their eco innovations by submitting their "inspiring designs for tomorrow's townhouse." This year one of our LSBU alumni, Alex King has entered his design of the Santiago Townhouse which has been selected for the final five.
Alex King's Santiago Townhouse
The Daily Telegraph BHA in partnership with British Gas and Future Form Building Systems, are looking for fresh designs to replicate our much loved British heritage, but creating a modern version of an energy efficient "lifetime" home.
Alex, and Design partner Edward, came up with a design that did exactly that. The Santiago Townhouse is attractive, affordable and includes the latest Green technology, designed to reduce long-term living costs. Whilst working on this project Alex was very conscious of the current housing market and the difficulty getting on the property ladder. The idea was to build the house using factory finished boxes to reduce construction costs and design it to allow the buyers to save and make money as soon as they move in!
The ground floor was formed so that by closing and locking a door it can be a self contained garden flat, leaving the owner the option for another income by renting the flat and living in the two floors above or vice versa. There is also potential saving aspect here, for those looking to build an annex for an elderly relative or for those with children returning from university. The layout of the whole building is flexible to suit your needs at minimal cost, like the panels of floor stacked cupboards that can be removed to fit a lift completely through the building. The Santiago house is designed to create a strong connection in the community with the communal green space in the middle. With the privacy of a back garden and roof terrace with solar panels and storage tanks to harvest rainwater, it offers a perfect compromise.
Alex studied his Part 3 Architecture at LSBU in 1995. He says, "I was advised to take my part 3 at LSBU by a former AA Student that is now a Director at Fosters. It was a good recommendation. Since then I have worked on a number of prestigious projects as part of a team and working with my father, a retired architect came up with the idea of the Santiago Townhouse while in Valencia in the office of Santiago Calatrava. The design is named 'Santiago' in respect for all the inspiration and positive energy I received there. I would recommend LSBU as the place to study for part 3, being an Architect you need to be well prepared and LSBU prepares you well."
You can support Alex and Edward's Santiago Townhouse design and be in the chance to win a weekend away, by voting on the Telegraph website at www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/property/british_homes_awards/8580293/Win-a-luxury-weekend-away-with-Marriott-Hotels.html