The Malings
by Ash Sakula Architects
Client Carillion Igloo
Award RIBA North East Award 2017
Private housing in a dense historic urban environment has always provided a challenge for architects and developers alike. At the Malings Ash Sakula have supported Igloo to break the mould of so many anonymous, soulless residential developments and piece together a dense street-based urban housing proposition, that responds sensitively and intuitively to its context and provides every occupant with their own front door. The relationship to the street and the context beyond positively connects residents to the place and each other; the result is a housing place with a pleasing sense of community.
At first glance the materiality and configuration of the Malings is rather conventional red brick matched with timber details. On a more detailed review, great creativity has been brought to the composition of the buildings in plan section. The proposals carefully re-think the traditional Tyneside flat housing typology and create a series of bespoke interlocking houses and apartments in a configuration that delivers strong views to context and private external space to all residents.
The developments plan addresses the street but also creates a successful shared community garden space that residents have adopted as their own and is clearly an important part of community life at the Malings.
There are a large number of dwelling types across the Malings and the shape and configuration of these has been supported by an appropriate response to street and the wider Ouseburn context. The result is what appears to be rather eccentric and quirky house plans. The reality of the house planning is that the eccentricity and unconventional nature of spatial organisation has actually presented residents with a great opportunity to marry their unique personalities to their unique homes.
Residents have clearly become part of a bespoke place with a strong identity, their community successfully adding life and vibrancy to Newcastle's Ouseburn Valley.
Structural Engineers Civic Engineers
Environmental / M&E Engineers Max Fordham
Project Management Buro Four
Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant Gleeds
Planning Consultants Cundall
Environmental and Infrastructure Amec
Technical Delivery Phases B and C P+HS Architects
Internal Area 7,548.00 m²
