The Arbour, a development of ten two-storey homes just off Orford Road in Walthamstow, won for ‘pushing the boundaries of sustainable design’
By Marco Marcelline
A “carbon-negative” development in Walthamstow Village has won an architectural award for “pushing the boundaries of sustainable urban design”.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) London Awards commended The Arbour, a development of ten two-storey homes on a former backland industrial site just off Orford Road in Walthamstow, remarking that it was a “tranquil oasis”.
As RIBA notes, the project was sustainable from the get-go, with site operatives working on the construction required to sign up to a zero-waste charter that meant they had to use reusable drinks bottles, lunch boxes and bags. Meanwhile, early installation of solar panels meant that 60% of the site’s energy demands were satisfied.
The homes are made entirely from prefabricated cross laminated timber while the building’s bricks were created through the compaction of old-excavated earth. Residents at The Arbour also have space to grow fruit and vegetables as well as enjoy a communal outdoor kitchen that sits beneath an archway.
In its commendation, RIBA noted that the scheme, by developers Boehm Lynas and GS8, “is an exemplar in one of the most challenging areas the industry has been grappling with: genuinely engaging with whole-life carbon from the outset and creating reuse through the circular economy”.
Real estate agents The Modern House are currently listing one flat in the development for £1million.
Other shortlisted projects include the Slovakian embassy, Abbey Wood Station, and the second phase of the Battersea Power Station regeneration.
Speaking about the London winners, RIBA’s Dian Small said: “There’s so much to love about this year’s winners. With a huge range of styles, sectors and scales covered, they reflect the rich quality of world-class architecture being delivered in this city. IIt was great to see that inclusion and accessibility were key considerations across all projects, allowing everyone to experience the delights of architecture. Congratulations to all involved!”
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
