This competition was won as part of the Elephant & Castle regeneration early housing sites in 2006, and provides 96no affordable homes, 20% of which are shared ownership.
The scheme developed with homes arranged in a cruciform around open cores, allowing the retention of the majority of existing mature trees. As a result, 60% of the homes are triple aspect, and the remaining are dual aspect.
The main blocks, with spacious family maisonettes on the ground floor surround a central courtyard. The blocks range from four to nine storeys, responding to local context. The top floors of the blocks include a two storey family home with large roof terrace.
Every home exceeds space standards, most by more than 20% and their dual and triple aspects provide good cross-ventilation and daylighting for all rooms. Residents have gardens, balconies, or roof top terraces encouraging outdoor living.
Royal Road is a car free development with ample secure cycle parking provided, achieves Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 with very high levels of insulation as a future proofing measure.