Diggers
Diggers, was the first ‘green’ self build housing project with solar conservatories and green roofs, and the first pilot of a self build for rent model using public finance.
Location
Brighton, UK
Area
Status
Completed
Year
1996
Client
CHISEL
The Diggers scheme brings back into use the derelict site of a disused golf club, surrounded by a mixture of postwar housing developments on the outskirts of Brighton. The site, edged with trees and offering extraordinary views over the town to the sea, demanded an alternative form of construction as opposed to conventional methods due to its steep sloping gradient. The post and beam method championed by Walter Segal was an obvious choice, with minimal pad foundations at the foot of each post it allowed development close to mature trees as well as on steeply sloping sites.
Planners’ initial concerns about density were overcome by specifying a sea of grass roofs to provide wildflower gardens where overlooked from the flats behind.
Vision
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Design
Expertise
Architype team
Bob Hayes
Robin Hillier
Architype
Architype services
Architecture
Perform services
Project partners
Selected accolades
Key data
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