A-S:L Selected for Coastal Housing Group Framework
We are delighted to be selected by Coastal Housing Group for inclusion on their Architectural Framework Panel.
2018 marks Coastal’s 10th anniversary having been formed in 2008 after a merger between Swansea Housing Association and Dewi Sant Housing Association with the objective of regenerating older stock and building new houses to improve the local community and provide good quality affordable homes. They have over 5000 properties for rent and for sale with expertise in supporting older people, those who require adapted homes and people who need help managing their tenancy. To meet the challenges of sustainable growth Coastal has also developed a commercial portfolio through a programme of city/town centre mixed-use regeneration which includes pubs and restaurants to hi-tech office space for startup enterprise.
Austin-Smith:Lord’s inclusion on the Coastal Framework reflects our own expanding portfolio of housing-led regeneration projects and our approach to mixed use urban regeneration.
Places which are successful are durable and adaptable. Our holistic approach to urban regeneration is one which seeks to build upon the positive aspects of a place and enhance these characteristics, whilst addressing its shortcomings to create a vision which will sustain itself socially, economically and environmentally. If the fundamentals of sustainable urban planning are applied then the benefits of this approach can far exceed the value of technical fixes to building construction addressing solely environmental issues. Urban regeneration enables sustainable place-making and we champion a common sense approach which learns lessons from what works and when it should be applied, based on observation, evidence and experience.
Places that are cherished, easy to manage and maintain, flexible and adaptable to change are sustainable. Places which provide a mix of functions as a place to live, work and visit will sustain urban living. Districts and neighbourhoods which enable access to an array of services and activities with ease and without reliance on the car will endure and promote healthy places which are animated and activated by people in the spaces between buildings. Through careful planning and design, resource efficiency can be promoted by creating places with good micro-climates which capture the sun and shelter from the prevailing weather, and minimise energy consumption and running costs whilst supporting ecology and bio-diversity.
We look forward to collaborating with Coastal in the delivery of their vision to provide homes and services that enable their tenants to thrive and the communities they serve to prosper.