This competition does not seek to create a new Garden City. It’s targeted to generate specific housing solutions capable of implementation on selected sites throughout Letchworth Garden City.

The potential for the competition is substantial, making it a significant, pioneer contributor to Letchworth’s housing renaissance.

The vision and objectives for the competition have previously been set out in the opening introduction and contained within the leaflet and homepage. For completeness, these are:

Vision
The ambition is to deliver high-quality, low-cost, environmentally friendly, groundbreaking housing in Letchworth Garden City.

Objectives
To bring forward a series or selection of housing designs for implementation in Letchworth Garden City capable of:

• Providing a range of property types and sizes for sale or rent to local people at affordable prices
• Achieving a specific energy benchmark, for example at least level three of 'The Code for Sustainable Homes'
• Achieving low annual running costs, low lifetime costs, and generally value for money
• Incorporating attractive features and architecture which reflect the town’s status as the world's first Garden City
• Social sustainability to include adaptability, flexibility, quality, smart houses etc.

Aspirations
Building on the vision and objectives stated above, the sponsors and competition judges are looking for entries for housing which:

• Surprise, inspire and enthuse
• Utilise high quality design and architecture
• Reduce energy consumption and impact on the environment
• Are truly sustainable in both concept and practice
• Balance creativity and pragmatism
• Incorporate ‘cutting edge’ achievable housing solutions
• Produce modern, striking and attractive buildings that reflect and contribute to the flavour of Letchworth Garden City's residential architecture
• Integrate buildings with their immediate surroundings
• Make a connection with the legacies of the pioneering zeal of initial ‘Cheap Cottage’ exhibitions or the Garden City itself
• Are capable of achieving planning permission from the local planning authority.

Core Requirements
You are invited to present housing proposals that don’t exceed three storeys albeit roof space can be used for living space, if required. Pitched roofs are preferred, although other roof types will be acceptable subject to design quality.

We are looking for solutions that incorporate one or more of the following four housing formats:

A
Format: Flat
Bedrooms: 1
Suitable for: 2 persons
Gross Internal Floor Area [Range]: From 46 to 50m2

B
Format: Flat
Bedrooms: 2
Suitable for: 3 persons
Gross Internal Floor Area [Range]: From 58 to 67m2

C
Format: House
Bedrooms: 2
Suitable for: 4 persons
Gross Internal Floor Area [Range]: From 71 to 75m2

D
Format: House
Bedrooms: 3
Suitable for: 6 persons
Gross Internal Floor Area [Range]: From 96 to 100m2

What is required?
You are required to follow the brief and identify clearly within the submissions, whether you are submitting designs for a single unit or group of properties (with types). You will be expected to demonstrate that you have met the brief, achieving an energy benchmark of at least level three of 'The Code for Sustainable Homes'.

Output
Drawings on 2 A1 boards should include and illustrate:

• Dwelling plans/group of dwellings at 1:50 or 1:100 scale showing furniture arrangements
• Elevations and sections at 1:50 or 1:100 scale
• Information on construction and materials
• 3D visuals
• Explanatory sketches, and diagrams to explain design approach, interesting aspects of construction and sustainability strategy and how innovative proposals would be achieved.
• Drawing illustrating relations to other dwellings i.e. terrace, detached etc.
• Suggested Solutions for dealing with the micro-climate, refuse/recycling, storage and cycle storage.
• Separate text report (maximum 8 A4 pages), should include design philosophy, outline specification, construction concept.
• Building costs for individual dwelling, excluding external works and services.
• Life Costs.

Evaluation Criteria
The Jury Panel will make their selection against:

• Design quality
• Relevance to the Garden City movement and the character of Letchworth
• Value of what the design achieves and offers occupants in the quality of size and amenity
• Quality and deliverability of innovative ideas
• Economic building solutions and buildability
• Provisions for maintenance and durability of designs
• Feasibility of delivery, to cost to build and long term occupation costs
• Sustainable technologies

Additional Considerations
This competition brings with it a number of design challenges. These include:

1. Density

The traditional view of garden cities is low-density housing, which is inconsistent with current national planning policy for higher densities. How would your proposal reconcile these tensions?

2. Space

Garden cities promised to meld man with nature - as one early Letchworth marketing campaign put it - the combination of ‘the comforts of the town with the health and beauty of the country’ realised. How does your proposal reflect and encompass this?

For further assistance on how to interpret the design brief visit the Frequently Asked Questions [0] page

Please see the table below to download a word document version of this design brief