21 - 10 - 2020
By Caroline Dommett, Associate, Architecture – first published by Housing LIN on 21 October 2020.
The quality of our homes and urban environments play a vital role in our health and wellbeing; something that has become all the more evident in 2020, especially as a result of the pandemic. This Case Study on Rochester Riverside for the Housing Learning and Improvement Network, captures the key design characteristics that establish a route to healthy, sustainable, and enjoyable home for all ages.
The twelve Building for a Healthy Life criteria were important factors in the development of the 131 new homes (25% affordable) and creating a place focused on the wellbeing, health and resilience of the community. And with 10 different housing typologies, the scheme caters for the different lifestyles and varied family types in modern society, with the ultimate goal of creating a mixed intergenerational neighbourhood with appropriate housing for everyone.
Rochester Riverside was selected as the Winner of Winners and the Building for a Healthy Life Award because it reflects the needs of society today and aims, through small and large design choices, to raise the standards of living to what we all deserve. Watch the Housing Design Awards 2020 film created for Rochester Riverside Phase 1B here.
