Woodside Square
Muswell Hill, London
LANDSCAPE BRINGS NATURE AND SOCIAL CONNECTION INTO A NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
TYPE |
Housing, Health & Wellbeing, Landscape Management |
|---|---|
LOCATION |
Muswell Hill, London Borough of Haringey |
SCALE |
2.38 ha (23,800 sqm)Landscape surrounding 161 new homes and retained heritage buildings |
CLIENT |
Hill Group UK, Hanover Group |
PARTNERS |
Pollard Thomas Edwards |
|---|---|
STATUS |
Completed 2018 |
RIBA STAGES |
0-7 |
AWARDS |
Commended – Civic Trust Awards 2019;Highly Commended, Development of the Year (More Than 100 Homes) – Sunday Times British Homes Awards 2018;Best Urban Design – Haringey Design Awards 2018;Silver, Best Development – WhatHouse? Awards 2018 |
RHS Chelsea Flower Show © Steven Wooster
AMBITION
CONNECTING RESIDENTS WITH NATURE
St. Luke’s Hospital, located in North London’s Muswell Hill, was formerly an inpatient mental health hospital, largely unused since 2009.
The ambition was to create a multi-functional landscape for different types of living. The development of the site was an opportunity to build upon the woodside location, creating strong connections between residents and nature.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show © Steven Wooster
IMPACT
SUPPORTING WELLBEING
Residents benefit from a verdant and biodiverse landscape on their doorstep. Opportunities for social cohesion are also woven into the fabric of the scheme.
DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER
The parkland character of the landscape brings a mature and established feel to the development, sensitively knitting new architecture together with three retained heritage buildings.
ECOLOGICAL VALUE
The landscape has maximised the ecological value of the site through sustainable water management and extensive planting that welcomes wildlife.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show © Steven Wooster
RHS Chelsea Flower Show © Steven Wooster
APPROACH
DESIGN FOR SOCIAL LIVING
A co-housing area has been established, supporting the growth of a cohesive community. The landscape encompasses an outdoor dining space and allotments with raised beds for accessibility.
Whilst the scheme caters predominantly for the 55+ age group, the flexibility of the landscape allows for the enjoyment of all ages. A range of gardens provides communal and private spaces for resident use, and opportunities for formal and natural play.
Shared surfaces and subtle paving details seamlessly integrate parking and create an accessible and intimate streetscape.
BUILDING ON LOCAL CHARACTER
A green character is established through generous planting and the retention of existing trees. Formal gardens are reinstated, echoing the history of the site.
