The Ridge is a significant scheme locally. The mixed-tenure development of 42 apartments and 14 houses is the largest new housing project in the
neighbourhood for more than three decades. It has been developed on three narrow sites formerly occupied by deck-access flats that border the 1970s built Longridge housing estate and backs onto protected ancient woodland.
The development follows the successful transfer of the estate to Knutsford
Housing Association, part of Great Places Housing Group.
The design challenge for Triangle Architects was to find viable but sensitive contemporary solutions within
constrained site boundaries and at the same time respond to local concerns about views of and access
to the woodland. The building footprints follow the line
of the old deck access flats but open up views of the
woodland at intervals. Building orientation allows active
frontages and natural surveillance of the public realm.
The scheme is designed to a density of 51 homes per hectare. There are three blocks of three storey apartments, which enclose landscaped parking
courts. Two terraces of wide-frontage three storey houses form a new street.
The apartment blocks are clad in a range of materials
including larch, red brick, white render, glazing and steelwork. Ground floor apartments have front doors
around the buildings to animate facades and
encourage street activity. Upper floors are accessed
by a secure glazed stairway and open balcony. The
houses are clad in the same materials, articulated with
a strong rhythm of gabled frontages. These link with
two storey bridge-over accommodation above gated
car spaces. Living rooms are at first floor level and
have projecting windows and balconies to the rear.
ARCHITECT:
Triangle Architects
Address:
Raven House
113 Fairfield Street
Manchester
M12 6EL
Tel: 0161 272 3500
Website: www.triangle-architects.ltd.uk
Contact: Ian McHugh
HOMEBUILDER:
Great Places Housing Group
Address:
Southern Gate
729 Princess Road
Manchester
M20 2LT
Tel: 0161 447 5000
Website: www.greatplaces.org.uk
Contact: Kirsten Sigley
