Sustainable Residential Living 113 & 115 Ouseburn Road
The work at 113 & 115 Ouseburn Road sets an examplar for contemporary living.
Project Overview
The work at 113 & 115 Ouseburn Road sets an examplar for contemporary living, where resources are shared and optimised to crease a template for sustainable accommodation.
It responds to the needs of people wanting to stay locally but looking to downsize, it considers how homes can adapt to an ageing population and how land - use can be optimised in existing residential areas. We carried out the civil and structural design for this project.
Sustainable Residential Housing
Project Architect, The Home Engineers (Civil & Structural)
Project Challenges
The steep site created several significant engineering challenges. The houses were cut into the valley side, which meant substantial retaining structures were required to support the excavation.
Building tight to three boundaries further restricted the available layout and complicated construction.
In addition, shared parking and access needed carefully coordinated civil engineering solutions.
Finally, the design had to deliver sustainability and cost efficiency while maximising natural light within a deep-plan, partly subterranean layout.
The Solution
We provided a coordinated civil and structural engineering package to support the project’s architectural goals.
This included the design of a reinforced concrete retaining structure to stabilise the excavated site, as well as the engineering of loadbearing brick walls and engineered timber joists with exposed concrete floors.
These elements delivered robust, economical, and sustainable structural solutions.
Our role also included the development of civil engineering strategies for shared access, parking, and services.
By ensuring efficiency through a single contract and shared infrastructure, we helped the project remain financially viable while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability.
These combined structural and civil elements created the framework for open plan living spaces, large sliding screens, and strategically placed roof lights that connect the interiors with their leafy surroundings.
The Outcome
The homes at Ouseburn Road set an exemplar for contemporary, sustainable residential design.
The structural solutions allowed the houses to nestle into the valley side while presenting a green roof-scape to the surrounding landscape.
By combining robust engineering with sensitive architectural design, the project created flexible, efficient, and sustainable homes tailored to their context.
Why Clients Choose The Home Engineers
We Can Help You Do the Same! Let’s Chat
Whether you’re planning a home extension, conversion, or new build, our structural engineers are here to help. We’ll review your plans, advise on feasibility, and deliver tailored designs to bring your project to life.