Coffey Architects has worked to build the highest quality buildings for two decades. Specifically, we aim to construct residential architecture that residents will love.
We'd like to share the news that we've got the green light to build a new social housing scheme. It'll be in South Wales, and feature an earthy green tone facade to suit the setting. This is a 40-home house scheme for the Merthyr Valleys Homes housing association. Said scheme will reside on the north-western edge of Merthyr Tydfil. In the past, the plot was covered by dense woodland, but it was felled in the 18th century to fuel the local Cyfarthfa ironworks.
This development has the name Cefn Isaf. It consists of demolishing two derelict and vacant 1970s housing blocks. We're then going to replace them with stepped buildings that follow the hill's slope. The design gently mediates between the scale of surrounding properties. At the same time, it ensures that each home benefits from privacy, views, and lights.
What will the buildings offer?
The two buildings will provide 26 one-bedroom and 14 two-bedroom homes respectively. Additionally, the scheme will consist of 26 cycle and 30 car parking spaces. What's more, there will be landscaped communal areas and accessible walkways. The two blocks will connect via a communal garden.
We pulled the buildings back from the site boundary to bring in more green space. This will also produce more open views for everyone. The design here includes a green roof that has integrated solar panels. Something else the plans feature is soft landscaping and new tree planting. The glazed tile accents, stone detailing, rendered finishes, and earthy green facade strive to mirror the design of local houses and the local Grade II listed Cyfarthfa viaduct.
Construction should begin shortly. Our project will make use of contemporary construction methods alongside off-site fabrication. Notably here is modular light-gauge steel cassette framing. The intention is to the lower carbon footprint, cut build time, and minimise waste. Retrofitting the 1970s blocks wasn't a possibility for us because they are in such bad condition.