David Wilson Homes - ESCAPE Competition

Friday 8th November 2019

Rider Sale Architects were chosen as one of three finalists in the competition sponsored by David Wilson Homes. The competition was to design a better townhouse, with construction efficiency and the quality of the living environment being the key considerations.

Short-listed from over 50 entries, Rider Sale produced a design to meet the brief for an "innovative" solution for the need for high-density housing. The panel of judges included Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen. Our design for ten three bedroom, four storey town houses is arranged in a courtyard style, including pathways around communal gardens. This courtyard layout is to create garden space that is private and secure. The competition sought to achieve innovative solutions to the current need for higher densities and pre-fabricated off-site construction.

"Bold, tightly planned scheme...perfect for urban sites." RSA's design as described by "Building" magazine.

Rider Sale went through into the second round, refining the design and costing the project, coming second in the competition overall.

Essential concepts for better urban town housing:

• Design quality
• Sustainability
• Space standards
• Privacy and amenity
• Energy efficiency
• Noise transmission
• Build speed
• Secure by design
• Economic construction costs Flexible adaptable plans
• Ease of construction
• Kerb appeal
• Terrace forms
• High density
• Thermally efficient
• Eco home rating
• Sustainable materials
• Alternative elevation materials