On a vacant brownfield site a contemporary ensemble of terrace houses, apartments and a public building completes a historic village green.

Following a competitive interview in 2011 we were appointed by Southwark Council to develop a masterplan for two key sites that they owned in the Nunhead Green Conservation Area. Our subsequent transformation of the neighbourhood includes the redevelopment of the village green (2014) and The Green community centre (2016) for Southwark Council and was completed by 14 private homes (2020) for One Housing.

The significance and changing use of the site had provoked a strong reaction from local residents. We led and facilitated a long-term consultation process that explored the potential of the site and assisted the evolving community in exploring and agreeing the best options for its future use.

The housing provides 8 family terrace houses with gardens and a four storey corner block providing 6 maisonettes and flats, with two specifically for wheelchair users. Each house has a chimney designed as a service flue that reinforces the individual units of the terrace. Pairs of terraces follow the fall of the site, reducing the scale of the block and encouraging a visual steer towards the community centre.

During the extensive design development process we worked with community groups and local residents to explore and articulate their perception of Nunhead as a village, in its form, character and use. A four storey ensemble in a two storey neighbourhood the new buildings sample existing elements from the eclectic range of buildings that surround the Green and synthesize them to create a contemporary vernacular for Nunhead.

Ed Ruscha's Silhouette paintings convey a shared memory of an imagined archetype, rather than a copy of a real place.

At Nunhead Green the new buildings convey a shared memory of an imagined village, creating a multivalent, supportive backdrop to civic life, whilst the distinct silhouette provides volumetric variety for the residents.

The new housing relates to each of its three public elevations in different ways whilst achieving a harmonious whole. A coherent diversity was achieved through the use of a single brick stock that complements the bricks of the adjacent Old Nun’s Head pub, with different mortars, bonds and details providing individual responses to different neighbours.

All homes enjoy double aspect with natural ventilation, a super insulated envelope and generous external amenity space, exceeding the Mayor’s Design Guidance. The terrace houses have top-lit stairs that bring light deep into the centre of the home. Roof mounted photovoltaic panels provide low carbon electricity.

“The council recognised the importance of the site at Nunhead Green and at that time (2011) took the unusual step of taking a very proactive approach in its design and development. Local confidence had been eroded in the development process following the private development of some poor quality housing in the local vicinity. AOC’s designs found support in the local community and a planning consent was achieved by unanimous vote at planning committee.
The council is very proud of what has been delivered at Nunhead.”

Stephen Platts
Director of Regeneration, Southwark Council

Competitive interview. First Prize. Phased masterplan. All phases built.