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British Homes Awards 2010
SPONSORED BY VELUX

DESIGN BRIEF: RETROFIT DESIGN COMPETITION

The 2010 Retrofit Design Competition invites architects to submit innovative retrofit design solutions for a redundant housing block in Sunderland, working to the design brief to be found at
www.britishhomesawards.com/designbrief.asp and
architecture.com/competitions

The design brief is available to download here

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: MONDAY 17th MAY 2010

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Do you have a design and access statement?
A Yes, available on line - point 5.0 in the brief

Q Can we have access to existing site drawings and photos?
A Yes. Please contact Phil White at the Gentoo Group ( phil.white@gentoogroup.com tel: 0191 5255140)

Q Can we visit the site?
A Yes. Please prearrange a visit through Phil White

Q When will the short-list be announced?
A The short-list will be announced at the presentation of The British Homes Awards on July 1st

Q When will the winner be announced?
A At the RIBA Stirling Prize in October

Q Are the houses in the competition due to be sold or rented?
A Number 87 is not owned by the Gentoo Group it is owned by a private owner occupier who will remain in-situ whilst the works proceed. It is intended that numbers 81, 83 & 85 are to be retained by Gentoo for rent upon completion of the works

Q Are any section drawings available?
A There are no sectional drawings available, however the dwellings are of traditional construction of : brick - cavity (2") - brick; roof structure is king post truss design; floors are suspended timber

Q Do we have to accommodate 4 units into this block or could it be more or indeed less?
A Because number 87 is not owned by Gentoo Group it is assumed this will need to be retained in its existing form. As for the other three dwellings there would be more scope, however both of these points are something that is best determined by the proposed design solution

Q Can you confirm the size of the developable area, are we to assume that it is to the existing boundaries?
A The development site (ie 81-87 Shakespeare Street) is confined to the existing boundaries as shown on the existing plans

Q What is the construction and energy performance of the existing dwellings?
A The construction is as listed above. We do not have any data on the energy performance of the existing dwellings.

Q What expectations are there in terms of Carbon Reductions?
A We do not have specific targets but would expect that whatever is reasonable to achieve within a realistic budget and by utilising whatever measures which may attract potential grant funding.

Q Will any information relating to the site be released, i.e. ecological reports, services?
A The full set of information is available from Phil White.

Q Will a copy of the overall master-plan/3D model be made available?
A No, only the information which is available from Phil White.