Building For Life 12: The Rise (Phase 1), Scotswood
The Rise is located in the electoral ward of Benwell and Scotswood of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. With the completion of 1st phase (4 phases remain)[1], it intends to accommodate “diverse, sustainable and forward looking community” comprised of the local working class population[2]. I will further assess The Rise according to 12 criteria of Building for Life. Each criterion will be granted a red, amber or green colour, depending on its unsuccessful, moderate or successful implementation within the scheme, respectively.
Integrating Into The Neighbourhood
CONNECTIONS
- Entrance from and exit onto the existing Armstrong Road
- Low permeability within a larger scale of surrounding neighbourhoods
FACILITIES AND SERVICES
- No community facilities provided (yet)
- 1 candle shop and 1 sporting goods shop
- Access to #1 Stagecoach bus route, operating from Newcastle City Centre to Slatyford
- Access to #30, 31 Stagecoach bus routes, operating from Kenton through City Centre to West Denton (minimum 8 minutes)
- Access to #84 Go North East bus route, operating from City Centre to Metrocentre (minimum 8 minutes)
- Variety of housing typologies (detached, semi-detached, terraced and apartments)
- Affordable house prices
- Outright ownership

Creating A Place
CHARACTER
- Consistent colour use for houses
- Consistent density (medium) of houses
- Consistent use of natural materials (brick, timber and roof slate)
WORKING WITH THE SITE AND ITS CONTEXT
- Respecting the natural slope of the area
- Establishing views to the river, Gateshead and Angel of the North
- Appropriate house typology to the surrounding environment
- Convenient sunlight penetration due to house positioning
- House entrances commonly face streets
- Defined routes according to houses’ positioning
EASY TO FIND YOUR WAY AROUND
- Overall, optimal hierarchy of streets
- Provision of marker buildings on the edges of streets

Street And Home
STREETS FOR ALL
- Width of streets allows playing opportunities
- More attention to vehicular rather than pedestrian routes
- Discomfort for wheelchair users due to the natural slope
CAR PARKING
- Defined car parking spaces through consistent material use on the ground
- Variety of car parking solutions (in front, sheltered on the side, open on the side, beside)
- 2 car parking spaces for each household
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES
- 2 defined small play areas (uncertainty regarding maintenance)
- Defined private spaces in form of back gardens
- Front gardens integrate well with streets
EXTERNAL STORAGE AND AMENITY SPACE
- Recycling storage spaces in front and behind houses (protected by timber fencing)

In Summary
Overall, the Rise (Phase 1) scored 6 green, 5 amber and 1 red, showing that the scheme is partially successful. The main disadvantage of this scheme is the lack of community infrastructure, which will be resolved in later phases. Considering the following issues, I am looking forward to reassess this scheme upon the completion of remaining 4 phases.
References:
[Featured Image] Barratt Homes (2020) The Rise. Available at: https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/tyne—wear/h672701-the-rise/ (Accessed: 1 March 2020).
[1]The Rise (2020) The development. Available at: http://www.therise.info/the-area/the-development (Accessed: 1 March 2020).
[2]The Rise (2020) The vision. Available at: http://www.therise.info/ (Accessed: 1 March 2020).
[3]Zeynalov, A. (2020) [Image] Surrounding Facilities.
[4]Zeynalov, A. (2020) [Image] Public Transport Circulation.
[5]Saglam, F. (2020) [Image] Semi-Detached House.
[6]Saglam, F. (2020) [Image] Terraced House.
[7]Saglam, F. (2020) [Image] Detached House.
[8]Zeynalov, A. (2020) [Image] Listed Buildings.
[9]Zeynalov, A. (2020) [Image] Public Open Spaces.
[10]Zeynalov, A. (2020) [Image] Walwick Fell (W to E).
[11]Zeynalov, A. (2020) [Image] Armstrong Road (S to N).
[12]Zeynalov, A. (2020) [Image] Featherwood Avenue (SE to NW).
[13]Zeynalov, A. (2020) [Image] Front Gardens.
[14]Zeynalov, A. (2020) [Image] Recycle Storage and Car Parking Spaces.
[15]IDPartnership Group (2020a) [Image] The Rise: Phase Two. Available at: http://idpartnership.com/portfolio/masterplanning/rise-phase-two/ (Accessed: 2 March 2020).
[16]IDPartnership Group (2020b) [Image] The Rise: Phase Two. Available at: http://idpartnership.com/portfolio/masterplanning/rise-phase-two/ (Accessed: 2 March 2020).
Built for Life homes (2018) Building For Life 12. Available at: http://www.builtforlifehomes.org/downloads/BfL12_2018.pdf (Accessed: 1 March 2020).
Historic England (2020) Map Search. Available at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/map-search?clearresults=True (Accessed: 1 March 2020).