This project is the result of a campaign by a group of families with autistic children, which provides individual homes for autistic young adults, who will also be given support to help them live independently. A new three storey building will sit on the small, previously disused corner site and feature four one-bedroom apartments, a communal lounge and sheltered garden. Minimising stressful situations and anxiety is particularly important for these young people, and so we considered issues such as reducing the impact of noise and creating calm and private environments.
The design references the local context, particularly the adjacent Victorian terraced houses through careful handling of the mass, proportion and articulation of the façade through crisp detailing. The awkward acute corner geometry is dealt with by a softly curved wall. Buff brickwork is used to clad the ground and first floor to reflect the neighbouring terraced cottages, whilst zinc shingles are used for the upper storey to echo the nearby roofs.
Independent housing for residents with autism in Forest Hill.