Oxley Woods, Milton Keynes, was part of the Design for Manufacture competition run by English Partnerships (now HCA), is an award winner of the Manser Medal for Houses and Housing and will achieve EcoHomes ‘Very Good’. Key elements of the development include:

High quality and high efficiency in construction methods and improvement in build quality, which has been achieved by:

• Closed panel timber frame system. The gradual build up of component parts into modules off-site, thereby increasing efficiency.
• Subsequent on-site assembly takes only 2 / 3 days. This not only improves build quality but also thermal and acoustic performance.
• Lightweight super-insulated timber frame cassette panels reduce the weight of concrete poured for footings by a half.
• The homes use a wide range of environmentally friendly materials, such as recycled newsprint insulation.

Satisfying the standards of Lifetime Homes through key design features to ensure optimum accessibility and flexibility for future adaptation to individual need, should it be required. Some of these features include:

• Entrances are at ground level and door thresholds are level.
• Generous and well-considered circulation spaces ensure ease of access with wheelchair turning space provided.
• In many cases the wall between the kitchen and living area can be easily removed making the units more flexible in terms of individual need.
• The entrance level WC of all units has drainage provision for a shower, should one be needed as a post-occupancy adjustment.
• Stairs and adjacent walls in all flats are suitably designed and reinforced for the future installation of a stair lift if required.

Environmentally friendly features:

• Ecohats which recycle passive solar energy and provide solar water heating thereby optimising energy consumption.
• High insulation levels and controlled ventilation in order to reduce carbon emissions.

High quality design:

• Zoned living in each of the homes which includes 2 zones – 1) Service zone – bathrooms, utility and staircase 2) Living zone – living room, dining room and bedrooms. The living zone is designed to be uncluttered and to encourage interaction.
• Well designed public and private spaces enabled through the positioning of homes on the development to encourage interaction.

Awards

Oxley Woods won the Manser Medal for Houses and Housing in October 2008. All the RIBA Award-winning houses and housing schemes in the UK were considered. One Judge commented:

"Positive feedback from residents of new housing is unprecedented. Equally unusual is the level of co-operation between architect, contractor and building product supplier to achieve sustainability and waste management targets. Oxley Woods has shown the way."

The scheme has also won Best Material / Product Innovation at the Housebuilding Innovation Awards 2007 and at the Building Design Awards 2008 in the Major House Builder, Completed Scheme category.