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20 July 2006
Countryside Properties has swept the board at the Housing Design Awards 2006, following similar success in 2005. The Essex based developer has been awarded 'Overall Winner' and 'Best Medium Housebuilder' for Accordia, its contemporary development in Cambridge.
Waterstone Park in Stone, Kent (phase 2) was also presented with a project award for 'a project of great potential that is not yet finished'.
The Housing Design Awards are judged against exacting criteria* by a panel of experts who visit each of the built schemes. The assessors include representatives from each of the promoters including the DCLG, RIBA, RTPI, Housing Corporation, and the NHBC together with CABE.
A collection of 378 houses and apartments, Accordia has been masterplanned by award winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley and supported by niche practices Alison Brooks and Maccreanor Lavington. Unusually, the internal specification has also been developed by the architects who designed the properties and is a stunning extension of their original design vision.
Regarding Accordia the judges said, "This is a triumph of family life in a city. Both townhouses and flats are large family-sized homes. High density is demonstrably no bar to comfortable family housing where private garden space abounds, essentially as outside rooms. Clever use of the existing planting is key to the masterplan and even new planting impresses."
The final phase of homes at Accordia has now been released and already there are only six homes remaining. These are the largest properties on the development and this is now the final opportunity for purchasers to buy at this award winning scheme.
Waterstone Park is a joint project between Countryside Properties and Land Securities and features dynamic contemporary architecture set around seven acres of parkland and newly landscaped formal grounds.
The judges commented about Waterstone Park, "The challenge was to develop a contemporary feel for a new residential neighbourhood while acknowledging the 450 homes proposed are being built in the shadow of Stone Castle. The generosity of the houses, the layouts and strong demarcation of the public and private realm indicate this scheme has the potential to become a proud new address in the Thames Gateway."
Countryside Properties is currently developing the second phase of residential development at Waterstone Park comprising of one and two bedroom apartments and three, four and five bedroom homes with prices ranging from £165,000 to £400,000.
Alan Cherry, Chairman of Countryside Properties, says: "We are delighted with this prestigious award success. Accordia has also recently been awarded a Building for Life Gold Standard from CABE, a National Homebuilder Design Award, and an Evening Standard New Homes Award, as well as a RIBA Design Award. To come out on top for Accordia, and Waterstone Park being recognised as well, is a great achievement. It is reflective of our commitment to design and sustainability."
For further information on Accordia, please contact the sales office on 0845 071 2065 or visit www.accordia.uk.com
For further information on Waterstone Park please contact the marketing suite on 01322 313835, or alternatively visit www.waterstonepark.co.uk
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Editor's note
- * Judges are looking for 'the very best in housing design, and consider a wide range of factors' including -
o relationship to surroundings and neighbourhood
o response to site constraints and opportunities
o layout, grouping and landscaping
o planning of roads and footpaths
o handling of garages and car parking
o attention to safety, security and accessibility
o external appearance and internal planning
o sustainability in construction
o finishes, detailing and workmanship
- In the Housing Design Awards 2005 Countryside Properties' Bennet's Courtyard, at Abbey Mills, Merton, London was 'Overall Winner' and 'Best Medium-Sized Housebuilder'.
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Information correct as at 29/08/2007