Oxford Architects were asked to design 13 one and two bedroom flats for shared ownership. The site is located in Whitchurch, South Bristol. Situated behind a row of retail shops and overlooking a secondary school with residential housing to the west, the buildings are arranged around a central open courtyard in a U-shape to mitigate / benefit from the views accordingly. A landscaping buffer to the east screens the rear access to the retail parade whilst the south and middle sections of the U look out to the west and east through oblique windows angled to maximise the views and minimise overlooking. The north block at the top of the U enjoys immediate garden amenity below and distant views over the school playing fields to the wider area.

The building is a highly insulated and air-tight timber frame construction with a timber cladding, render and longrun steel roofing external envelope. Prior to occupation by Knightstone Housing Associations tenants, Gilda Parade achieved a Very Good BREEAM Ecohomes rating.

• Affordable housing
• High levels of insulation
• Very Good BREEAM Ecohomes rating