Homestead Lane, Welwyn Garden City

Built on the former site of a Dairy Crest distribution centre, these 12 houses have been designed to respect the heritage of the garden city, whilst representing the time in which they are built. Crisp pitched roofs and details contrast with textured materials and planting, creating something modern and different, yet familiar in its language and form. The presence of cars on the street is kept to a minimum and surfaces become ambiguous to create a pedestrian-oriented space.

The proposed design was initially for 11 two-, three- and four-bedroom high-quality family homes for private sale. After a small land assembly and the acquisition of an adjacent garage site, the proposed development was increased to 12 homes with an additional three-bedroom house.

The project brief was to deliver high-quality family homes for market sale on the former Dairy Crest distribution site, now vacant following the business’s relocation.

Situated in a predominantly residential area, the site is bordered to the west by a small court of domestic garages fronting Homestead Lane and allotments immediately to the northwest.

The site slopes gently upward from Homestead Lane to the north. Several mature trees, primarily along the boundaries, have influenced the placement of access points and building positions.

The layout of the development creates a transition in scale from Homestead Lane into an internal mews space of distinct character. This design draws inspiration from the cul-de-sac mews forms prevalent in Welwyn Garden City’s original masterplan, where the relationship between buildings and public space shapes neighborhood character and richness.

The homes are designed to complement the surrounding residential architecture, with two-story structures featuring steeply pitched roofs. A palette of traditional materials — brick for elevations and tile for roofs — ensures continuity with the local vernacular.

The architectural detailing reflects modern aspirations for home design, offering authenticity without resorting to imitation. Generous fenestration enhances visual connections between interior and exterior spaces, aligning with the garden city’s established design principles.

Best practices in natural surveillance and clear distinctions between public and private realms are integral to the scheme, promoting both safety and community.

The development offers a small range of house types, with individual plots adjusted to maximize site-specific opportunities, including plot shape, orientation, and context. This approach provides both variety and a strong sense of place, helping the homes settle naturally into their surroundings.