Farrer Huxley
Existing site at St. Luke's Hospital.

Woodside Square

Muswell Hill, London

Landscape brings nature and social connection into a new housing development.
 
Mews Housing at Woodside Square.
 
Type Housing, Health & Wellbeing, Landscape Management
Location Muswell Hill, London Borough of Haringey
Scale 2.38 ha (23,800 sqm)
Landscape surrounding 161 new homes and retained heritage buildings
Client Hill Group UK, Hanover Group
Partners Pollard Thomas Edwards
Status Completed 2018
RIBA Stages 0-7
Awards Commended - Civic Trust Awards 2019;
Highly Commended, Development of the Year (More Than 100 Homes) - Sunday Times British Homes Awards 2018;
Best Urban Design - Haringey Design Awards 2018;
Silver, Best Development - WhatHouse? Awards 2018
 
Existing site at St. Luke's Hospital.

Existing site at St. Luke's Hospital.

Ambition

Connecting Residents with Nature

St. Luke’s Hospital, located in North London’s Muswell Hill, was formerly an inpatient mental health hospital, largely unused since 2009.

The ambition was to create a multi-functional landscape for different types of living. The development of the site was an opportunity to build upon the woodside location, creating strong connections between residents and nature.

Impact Supporting Wellbeing Residents benefit from a verdant and biodiverse landscape on their doorstep. Opportunities for social cohesion are also woven into the fabric of the scheme. Distinctive Character The parkland character of the

Impact

Supporting Wellbeing

Residents benefit from a verdant and biodiverse landscape on their doorstep. Opportunities for social cohesion are also woven into the fabric of the scheme.

Distinctive Character

The parkland character of the landscape brings a mature and established feel to the development, sensitively knitting new architecture together with three retained heritage buildings.

Ecological Value

The landscape has maximised the ecological value of the site through sustainable water management and extensive planting that welcomes wildlife.

Approach Design for Social Living A co-housing area has been established, supporting the growth of a cohesive community. The landscape encompasses an outdoor dining space and allotments with raised beds for accessibility. Whilst the scheme

Approach

Design for Social Living

A co-housing area has been established, supporting the growth of a cohesive community. The landscape encompasses an outdoor dining space and allotments with raised beds for accessibility.

Whilst the scheme caters predominantly for the 55+ age group, the flexibility of the landscape allows for the enjoyment of all ages. A range of gardens provides communal and private spaces for resident use, and opportunities for formal and natural play.

Shared surfaces and subtle paving details seamlessly integrate parking and create an accessible and intimate streetscape.

Building on Local Character

A green character is established through generous planting and the retention of existing trees. Formal gardens are reinstated, echoing the history of the site.