In seeking to promote ‘a sense of community’ the approach to the site layout focused not only the new residents, but on those of the wider Olive Lane masterplan. At Waverley Green, context-sensitive, low-scale, high-density design prioritises delivery on a compact footprint while retaining an essential sense of openness. Dwellings are arranged around a central landscaped ‘Community Street’ – a shared green space designed to encourage social connection.

The initial concept designs connecting routes/ footpaths, referred to locally as a ‘gennel’ (Sheffield spelling!), established the parcels of the site which the houses would be located. These linking routes provide a rich collection of views, glimpses of the housing types and architectural details, as well as significant landscaping opportunities.

Fuse worked closely with client Forge New Homes, to develop their typical semi-detached/detached house types into a series of terraced house typologies, more appropriate for the semi-urban setting of Olive Lane. Three house types emerged and these are part-identified by their individual roofscape design. The two storey 3-bedroom house types provide a calm, simple pitched roofline constructed from concrete roof tiles and an elegant stone coping.

The two-bedroom houses have a more striking mono-pitch roof design, clad in an eco-friendly, fully recyclable, metal standing seam roof with concealed gutters. The larger single 3-storey townhouses provide residents the opportunity to occupy the pitched roof space, with higher ceilings and an abundance of natural light through skylights.

A well-considered material palette of buff and grey bricks was preferred, which were complimented by the dark grey full height windows and subtle architectural detailing.