An unusual development in Wandsworth which features timber frame apartments on top of a former paint factory has been recognised as being among the best in British housing design.
The Garratt Lane Development, designed by London architects Sergison Bates and built by Baylight Properties, won one of the completed scheme prizes at the 2004 Housing Design Awards.
Architect Mark Wilson said hybrid construction was used, as it was impossible to crane fully prefabricated panels onto the old factory due to access difficulties. Instead, timber and materials were lifted onto the roof and contractors formed the structure on site over a steel bed.
Triboard, a three-ply construction faced with larch, was used to clad the ceiling, walls and doors of a timber walkway separating the two original buildings. It was also utilised in bathrooms to give them a sauna-like quality.
Sergison Bates has designed several previous developments using off-site timber systems.
The awards are sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, NHBC, RIBA and the Royal Town Planning Institute.
