Paradise Gardens, Hammersmith

This development of six houses occupies a former derelict yard in the Ravenscourt and Starch Green Conservation Area.

Site and context

This site was a derelict yard in the heart of the Ravenscourt and Starch Green Conservation Area, next to Ravenscourt Park. The tight site was overlooked by neighbouring properties and next to a locally listed terrace.

Layout and massing

Five three-storey houses form a terrace which steps forward incrementally along its length. A sixth two-storey house is built within the walls of Latymer House, which once stood on the site.

The houses are entered from a cobbled courtyard which has parking spaces. Residents share communal gardens.

The houses are designed to be flexible with large light-filled spaces. As the houses were intended for the private rental market, robust detailing makes them easy to maintain.

Construction and sustainability

A steel frame structure gives flexibility as there are no load-bearing elements between party walls. This allows for future change.

The buildings go beyond Code for Sustainable Homes level 4. Excellent airtightness and thermal performance were achieved by carefully considering thermal bridging and solar gain, plus the use of heavily insulated wall and roof construction with triple glazing.

Scheme information