Westwick Row
A RESIDENTIAL DEMONSTRATION PROJECT IN HEMEL HEMPSTEAD.
Westwick Row
A RESIDENTIAL DEMONSTRATION PROJECT IN HEMEL HEMPSTEAD.
| Project Type | Neighbourhood housing |
| Status: | Pre-planning |
| Dwellings: | 80 homes for sale and rent |
| Project Partners: | The Crown Estate |
| Project Team: | Periscope, Mole, Archio, Useful Projects, Urban Movement |
After a thorough selection process to choose a development partner with the right expertise to design and deliver exemplary homes, The Crown Estate has recently appointed TOWN to work with the community and deliver an exemplary housing development which the local community is involved in shaping for Westwick Row – a 5-acre site located in Hemel Hempstead. The scheme will feature 80 new homes for sale and rent.
The Crown Estate, TOWN and a team of award-winning architects will work in collaboration with the local community and future residents to design the new homes and surrounding areas. The development also seeks to demonstrate best practice in sustainability and will explore the necessary changes in housing delivery to achieve this.
Our goal is to create a connected, sustainable community at Westwick Row, which involves working alongside local people, stakeholders and potential future residents from the outset.
| Project Type | Neighbourhood housing |
| Status: | Pre-planning |
| Dwellings: | 80 homes for sale and rent |
| Project Partners: | The Crown Estate |
| Project Team: | Periscope, Mole, Archio, Useful Projects, Urban Movement |
After a thorough selection process to choose a development partner with the right expertise to design and deliver exemplary homes, The Crown Estate has recently appointed TOWN to work with the community and deliver an exemplary housing development which the local community is involved in shaping for Westwick Row – a 5-acre site located in Hemel Hempstead. The scheme will feature 80 new homes for sale and rent.
The Crown Estate, TOWN and a team of award-winning architects will work in collaboration with the local community and future residents to design the new homes and surrounding areas. The development also seeks to demonstrate best practice in sustainability and will explore the necessary changes in housing delivery to achieve this.
Our goal is to create a connected, sustainable community at Westwick Row, which involves working alongside local people, stakeholders and potential future residents from the outset.
More info
Community-Led Design Approach.
The design process at Westwick Row will emphasise community involvement and participation both with stakeholders and with potential future residents. TOWN is establishing an Ideas Exchange for Westwick Row: a demographically representative group of local residents, assembled by The Sortition Foundation, who will meet regularly with the design team to provide feedback and help shape the evolving proposals. In addition, a Renters’ Panel, comprised of local private renters, will ensure the design of homes, security of tenure, and management structure aligns with the needs of future tenants. The scheme will also incorporate co-design with future residents, where TOWN and the wider design team will work alongside potential future residents to co-design aspects of their homes and future community – for more information see the section on Collaborative Housing below.
More info
Community-Led Design Approach.
The design process at Westwick Row will emphasise community involvement and participation both with stakeholders and with potential future residents. TOWN is establishing an Ideas Exchange for Westwick Row: a demographically representative group of local residents, assembled by The Sortition Foundation, who will meet regularly with the design team to provide feedback and help shape the evolving proposals. In addition, a Renters’ Panel, comprised of local private renters, will ensure the design of homes, security of tenure, and management structure aligns with the needs of future tenants. The scheme will also incorporate co-design with future residents, where TOWN and the wider design team will work alongside potential future residents to co-design aspects of their homes and future community – for more information see the section on Collaborative Housing below.
Collaborative Housing at Westwick Row.
Westwick Row offers an opportunity to explore innovative, community-led approaches to designing and developing new neighbourhoods. Our goal is to better understand the challenges and opportunities that arise from such an approach while responding directly to the needs of local residents. Collaborative Housing is an umbrella term for models of participative housing such as cohousing and build-groups.
TOWN is seeking to engage individuals and households interested in collaborative housing and living within the completed development, guided by the following core principles:
- Collaborative design – Future residents play an active role in the design and development process, working closely with the design team to create a place tailored to their needs.
- Sustainability – Sustainability principles will inform the design of the homes and the neighbourhood.
- Designed to enable social interactions – An underlying objective is to create a place where people know and support each other, reducing social isolation and creating a strong sense of community.
- Customisable homes – Residents will have their own say in what their home and private outdoor space look like. Customisation options will be available during the design phase to ensure each home reflects the resident’s preferences.
- Shared spaces and amenities – The development will include shared spaces and amenities that encourage social interaction and support more collaborative and sustainable ways of living,which will be determined through the co-design process with future residents.
- Community management – After the development is complete, residents will collectively own and manage the shared spaces and facilities, taking responsibility for furnishing, equipping and bringing them to life.
If you are interested in exploring Collaborative Housing at Westwick Row, please register your interest here or contact TOWN’s Head of Community Partnering, Frances on frances@wearetown.co.uk.
Collaborative Housing at Westwick Row.
Westwick Row offers an opportunity to explore innovative, community-led approaches to designing and developing new neighbourhoods. Our goal is to better understand the challenges and opportunities that arise from such an approach while responding directly to the needs of local residents. Collaborative Housing is an umbrella term for models of participative housing such as cohousing and build-groups.
TOWN is seeking to engage individuals and households interested in collaborative housing and living within the completed development, guided by the following core principles:
- Collaborative design – Future residents play an active role in the design and development process, working closely with the design team to create a place tailored to their needs.
- Sustainability – Sustainability principles will inform the design of the homes and the neighbourhood.
- Designed to enable social interactions – An underlying objective is to create a place where people know and support each other, reducing social isolation and creating a strong sense of community.
- Customisable homes – Residents will have their own say in what their home and private outdoor space look like. Customisation options will be available during the design phase to ensure each home reflects the resident’s preferences.
- Shared spaces and amenities – The development will include shared spaces and amenities that encourage social interaction and support more collaborative and sustainable ways of living,which will be determined through the co-design process with future residents.
- Community management – After the development is complete, residents will collectively own and manage the shared spaces and facilities, taking responsibility for furnishing, equipping and bringing them to life.
If you are interested in exploring Collaborative Housing at Westwick Row, please register your interest here or contact TOWN’s Head of Community Partnering, Frances on frances@wearetown.co.uk.
“The goal is to better understand the challenges and opportunities that arise from such an approach while responding directly to the needs of local residents.”
“The goal is to better understand the challenges and opportunities that arise from such an approach while responding directly to the needs of local residents.”
The Future of Rent.
Westwick Row offers an opportunity to rethink suburban rental housing, how rental homes are designed, delivered and managed. This includes addressing every aspect of the rental experience, from housing design and shared amenities to affordability, security of tenure, and property management.
To ensure a diverse range of perspectives, TOWN is forming a panel of local renters and prospective renters. This group will include first-time renters, individuals looking to downsize, those facing affordability challenges, and individuals interested in multi-generational living. The panel will meet regularly throughout the design process and participants will be compensated up to £300 for their time and insights.
If you are interested in joining the Westwick Row Renters’ Panel, please contact TOWN’s Head of Community Partnering, Frances, at frances@wearetown.co.uk.
The Future of Rent.
Westwick Row offers an opportunity to rethink suburban rental housing, how rental homes are designed, delivered and managed. This includes addressing every aspect of the rental experience, from housing design and shared amenities to affordability, security of tenure, and property management.
To ensure a diverse range of perspectives, TOWN is forming a panel of local renters and prospective renters. This group will include first-time renters, individuals looking to downsize, those facing affordability challenges, and individuals interested in multi-generational living. The panel will meet regularly throughout the design process and participants will be compensated up to £300 for their time and insights.
If you are interested in joining the Westwick Row Renters’ Panel, please contact TOWN’s Head of Community Partnering, Frances, at frances@wearetown.co.uk.
Part of a Wider Vision: East Hemel.
In addition to Westwick Row development, The Crown Estate is a long-term steward of land to the east of Hemel and is working with the local community and partners of Hemel Garden Communities to develop a new and inclusive place to live. Both Westwick Row and East Hemel are part of a wider ambition by The Crown Estate and its partners to support the region’s economic growth and prosperity of the area, through the delivery of new affordable and energy efficient homes, skills and job opportunities, and access to a diverse natural environment.
For more information on East Hemel, please go to www.easthemel.co.uk.
Part of a Wider Vision: East Hemel.
In addition to Westwick Row development, The Crown Estate is a long-term steward of land to the east of Hemel and is working with the local community and partners of Hemel Garden Communities to develop a new and inclusive place to live. Both Westwick Row and East Hemel are part of a wider ambition by The Crown Estate and its partners to support the region’s economic growth and prosperity of the area, through the delivery of new affordable and energy efficient homes, skills and job opportunities, and access to a diverse natural environment.
For more information on East Hemel, please go to www.easthemel.co.uk.
Find out more
More information is available at westwick.commonplace.is.
