Burfield Close, Hatfield

The existing facilities were deemed inadequate, leading to a proposal to replace them with four interconnected buildings comprising 43 residential units, offering up to 82 bed spaces. The units range from two-bedroom apartments to clusters of ensuite rooms with shared kitchens, providing flexible accommodations suitable for both individuals and families. The design avoids an institutional feel, instead creating a welcoming, secure environment for residents at a vulnerable time.

The site, accessible from Welfare Road to the south and bordered by the Alban Way - a pedestrian and cycle trail connecting Hatfield to St. Albans - to the east, is also adjacent to the back gardens of neighbouring homes on the north and west. The Alban Way runs along the site at an elevated level, allowing direct access from the first floor of the buildings to the pedestrian and cycle network.

Early design sketches identified that a collection of smaller buildings would better serve the varied resident needs and blend more harmoniously with the surrounding neighborhood than a single large structure. The buildings feature brown brick exteriors complemented by bronze metalwork on balustrades, ventilation louvers, and window frames, creating a modern and durable material palette that ensures aesthetic appeal and low maintenance over time.

The ground-floor units feature individually accessible front doors, while upper-floor units on the first and second floors are accessible via internal corridors. Sheltered external staircases between the blocks allow each to function independently, yet upper-floor walkways link the buildings, creating a unified, efficient maintenance pathway. A single lift provides step-free access to 80% of the homes. Additionally, the design includes a small staff office for resident support and a large storage area for flexible furniture provisions to meet varying resident needs.

Blocks A and B contain ground-floor living spaces, while Blocks C and D incorporate a covered, secure parking area on the ground level. Block A is a two-story building, while Blocks B, C, and D are three stories, with heights designed to respect the neighboring properties. Landscaped areas enhance the public-facing entrances, and a large shared garden, separated from public access by controlled gates, provides a private outdoor space for residents.