15 new high-quality homes are provided across 6 sites throughout the existing estate in Gospel Oak alongside a series of integrated estate improvements.  6 houses face a smaller terrace, making a new street through the estate. 7 more homes complete empty corners of existing residential blocks.  Wider estate improvements include the creation of new paths (increasing permeability), rationalising communal entrances, new front gardens and roof terraces, access to green space, improved play space, a new square, revised refuse strategy, and increased overlooking of public space.

The new high quality homes take qualities from the adjacent Oak Village, creating new streets and helping integrate the estate into the surrounding street pattern.   

Innovative housing types navigate challenging site conditions (steep slopes, below ground services, structural connections with existing buildings, privacy and daylight etc), mixing old and new in a sensitive and positive manner.   
   
Wider estate improvements all make a significant contribution to placemaking and help improve the social, cultural and economic character of the area. 

The project helps advance knowledge around design, delivery and construction of new housing on existing estate land previously thought undevelopable.  It provides a useful case study as to how Local Authorities can build new, social rent homes and wider estate improvements, cross subsidising through the sale of a number of market sale homes.  On larger scale projects, this example could help local authorities avoid joint ventures, thereby retaining ownership and control.

The new homes are built with robust materials to ensure long term sustainability, low maintenance and a high performing fabric that reduces operational energy demand

Kiln Place illustrates how London Boroughs can provide new public housing, sensitively and at high densities on estates and without demolition of existing homes (and it’s impact on environmental and social sustainability.)  

A ‘fabric first’ approach means the new homes have high performance building envelopes - reducing operational energy and fuel bills.  New high-quality trees and extensive planting increase biodiversity of the wider estate.

The tenure blind new homes create new streets, with wider estate improvements increasing the potential for social activity and social sustainability.

Eleanor Sharpe