A new concept in high quality, rapid build, modular, low energy homes could be built over a car park in Bristol as the evolution of this type of housing gains popularity in the UK.
The ZED pods development proposes to build 11 homes over the Chalks Road carpark, adjacent to St George Park in the city and pioneers a way to create an 100% affordable and low carbon housing development over an existing land use, a car park in this case.
Subject to full planning permission, the homes could be built and occupied by October this year. According to the Bristol Housing Festival director Jez Sweetland. It will be the first of its kind in the UK.
‘In the context of the housing needs of the city it is important that we find creative ways to use land to test new ideas that can be scaled up to contribute to meeting our city’s housing needs. We also need to show that this can be done quickly as the existing need creates a demand for urgency,’ he said.
ZEDpod apartments can use air rights above existing land within city centres, such as car parks. They are built above existing car parking spaces, which continue to be available for public parking.
The homes have been optimised for energy efficiency and the lowest possible running costs, with solar panels to generate renewable electricity in the day, quiet running heat pumps for low energy heating, controlled ventilation which recovers usable heat from inside the building whilst bringing in fresh air, triple glazing, LED lighting and energy efficient appliances.
This environmental and social focused development will deliver much needed affordable housing in the area for young people. By creating a mixture of tenures, a new community model will be created to ensure that the support networks are in place for the tenants.
The scheme will offer something truly innovative, a first for the city and of its kind in the UK. The development rethinks existing land use, often in central locations, demonstrating a new possibility in helping solve the housing crisis, whilst at the same time providing beautiful, low carbon housing.
This project is a collaboration between Bristol Housing Festival, ZED Pods Ltd, a Bristol based Housing Association, the YMCA, Bristol and Bath Regional Capital and Bristol City Council.
ZED Pods design director Bill Dunster, said that the project will make a real difference to people in the community, providing homes with no loss of car parking space.
‘The proposed development provides an exciting and innovative opportunity to deliver sustainable and affordable housing in Bristol,’ said Amy Hickson, associate director of planning firm Turley.
‘There is a clear need for affordable housing in the city and it is refreshing to see the various partners working together to bring forward a solution to address this issue. The development will create energy efficient homes for young people in need of housing, whilst maintaining the site’s existing use as a car park,’ she added.