Building for Life 12: Park View Avenue, Gateshead, NE9 5EN（Miller Homes）
Posted on by Yuqian Zhang
In order to better understand the BFL, I went to personally inspect the Park View residential project. Park View is a residential development by Miller Homes with a total site area of approximately 3.95 hectares, located next to Saltwell Park.
Author’s own
- Connection Green
The road system is very clear, and every community is well connected.(located between located on the Enfield Rd East, Park Rd and Durham Rd (A176)
The width of the road is comfortable to ensure the smooth flow of the road.
- Facilities and Service Amber
Both preschool and elementary schools are about a 10-minute drive away (Dryden School, St. Peter’s Primary School etc).
Next to Green park (Saltwell Park)。
Approximately 10 minutes’ walk to Sports facilities and Marine centre for leisure activities。
But this project does not have relatively large public spaces.
- Public Transport Amber
The project is surrounded by other residential projects, with a certain distance from the urban area, but public transport is inadequate. There are just 4 buses (1, 21, 28B, N21 ) stopping here and lacking of subways.
Author’s own
- Meeting Local Housing Requirements Amber
The figures suggest that a two-bedroom flat costs around £140,000 and a four-bedroom flat around £250,000. The price is relatively high.
There are 25 houses types，rooms range from 3 rooms – 5 rooms
Picture from Park View brochure
- Character Green
The design of house type is very concise also very unified. The color of the house is the same （red bricks，yellow woods）, but there are different housing design. Generally speaking, the design of this community is one style.
Author’s own
- Working with the Site and Context Green
Most of the houses in this project are pitched roofs, which is a traditional feature of Newcastle.
- Creating Well Defined Streets and Spaces
The project was built on a sloping site, and the space between houses is enough.
Most of windows are facing Saltwall park.
The buildings at the entrances are also very iconic, with plenty of room for turning between the roads.
- Easy to Find Your Way Around Green
The road is smooth. It’s easy to find your way around here.
But some landmarks are missing inside the community.
- Streets for All Green
Landscape design is appropriate, not too waste of public space. The pavement is permeable brick, very sustainable.
Author’s own
- Car Parking Green
There are few public parking lots, however, almost every house has 1 private garage.
Although there are many parking spaces on the street, only one car is allowed for each unit.
Author’s own
- Public and Private Spaces Green
Of each house, there is a public garden in the front of house and a private yard in the back. This design is very reasonable, not only increase the neighborhood connection, but also ensure the living private space.
In addition，a recreation area is found in this community.
Author’s own
- External Storage and Amenities Space Amber
Each unit has one outdoor rubbish bin.
Author’s own
- Conclusion 8green, 4 amber,
In fact, I think that one of the difficulties of a project is how to handle the connection with the surrounding areas. The connection between different residential areas is difficult to handle because the managers are different. However, the project respected the background of the site, dealt with the problem of terrain elevation, and integrated the house design style into the environment. The design of the landscape, roads and houses is very simple and modern, with enough public space to enrich the neighbourhood. I think the project is good.
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