Rick Mather Architects have
been appointed by English Partnerships to design a new sustainable residential
quarter with supporting businesses and community facilities in Central
Milton Keynes. The 39 hectare site will provide 2,400 new homes and forms
part of a wider strategy to redevelop the town centre. Positioned between
the town's major shopping area and the main line station, the quarter
will provide the convenience and liveliness of urban living with good
pedestrian access to public open space and to surrounding green spaces
CMK Development Framework
The residential quarter is a key component
of the CMK development framework plan, a comprehensive strategy adopted
by English Partnerships, Milton Keynes Council and the CMK Partnership
as the blueprint for the future development of CMK. will provide a range
of new homes, more and improved civic space and expanded retail, leisure
and commercial facilities.
City Living
The new Residential Quarter is a unique
opportunity to shape a new part of the city centre. By providing housing
in close proximity to and integrated with existing facilities such as
work leisure and transport networks a truly mixed use urban quarter is
formed and which broadens the housing choice available in Milton Keynes.
The development prioritises the pedestrian over the car and promotes active
streets, squares and parks.
Masterplanning Principles
By locating perimeter development within existing
car parking areas. The improved street proportions in combination with
active frontage help to encourage increased pedestrian activity. The buildings
are focused around a series of streets and squares that activate key routes
and orientate circulation.
Advanced Infrastructure and Landscape
Rick Mather Architects were responsible for the
planning application and the design of the advanced infrastructural works
(Blocks B3 & B4). This included a level strategy to balance cut and
fill, and future provision for CHP. Other levels of detail include street
furniture, carriageway and footway materials and the landscape design
of two public squares, two pockets parks and a landscape that addresses
the dual carriageway.
Design codes
The strategy is focused on a series of interconnected
character areas which were determined on a space basis rather than building-by-building.
Which then sets out design principles for each individual block.
Design coding is seen as a method of ensuring cohesive projects for developers,
architects and planning authorities. Due to the scale of development in
this residential masterplan and the level of detail required, the design
code document was divided into masterplan and information for developers
sections. The strategy, in terms of building development, focused on a
series of interconnected character areas which were determined on a space
basis rather than building-by-building. Each character area is matriced
and sets outs urban design principles and the massing of each individual
block. In addition to this, a landscape strategy with a detailed planting
specification was included which defined the street trees and materials
for hardstandings and seating.
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Click here to view PDF versions of the Design Codes.
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Project Details The Site |
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1,2,3-bed apartments (6-8
storeys with roof terraces) 70%
1,2,3-bed apartments (6-8 storeys with roof
terraces) 70%
Milton Keynes Council policy allocated 30% as affordable
Basement and on-street parking: maximum of 1 space per dwelling
Mixed-use along Boulevards and Gates (flexible ground floor units which
can convert to residential)
420-place combined school (co-located learning and community facilities
on Block B4)
Supporting commercial development (primarily on Block B3)
Integrated food store with residential (Block C4.1)
| Principle Consultants | |
| Rick Mather Architects | Lead Consultant Masterplanner / Landscape |
| Arup | Planning, Infrastructure, Transport and Environment |
| Gardiner & Theobald | Cost Consultant |
Useful Links
www.englishpartnerships.co.uk
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/futurecmk
| Press | |||
 |
Encouraging Schemes at Milton Keynes |
by Steven Gardiner |
The Times 4/10/04 |
|
Urban Outfitters | by Steve Rose | The Guardian 15/7/04 |
Recent Press Releases from English
Partnerships
06/08/2004
| Short-list for Central Milton Keynes announced
20/09/2004 | New Sainsbury's and new homes in £100m Central Milton
Keynes plan
Contacts
If require further information about the project
please contact either Gavin Miller
or Paul Mullin at Rick
Mather Architects.