Zero Carbon masterplan, NW Bicester Ecotown, Oxfordshire, UK
An Ecotown masterplan we designed for A2 Dominion and Cherwell District Council regenerating Bicester as a healthy new town with an urban extension of 6000 true zero carbon homes, local centres, education, community, retail & business uses. The One Planet Living award winning exemplar phase for 400 homes is nearly completed.
NW Bicester zero carbon urban extesnion on 400 hectares of land comprises 6000 homes including local community and health services and employment facilities, green infrastructure with new cycle ways and public transport links to the town and surrounding villages and countryside. The development is designed to meet the requirements of government PPS1 eco towns and achieve the sustainability objectives of zero carbon buildings, 40% land for green infrastructure, 50% modal shift away from car transport, local employment for every home, conservation and use of renewable supplies for energy water and waste and net gain in biodiversity. The development is supported by the local community and local and national government. Houses designs with roof slopes orientated south to provide maximum potential for photovoltaic cells and solar thermal. Detached houses have principal roomsfacing south with shaded windows in terraces with large west and east facing windows. Timber frame construction with rendered walls and larch or cedar cladding are used to minimise the embodied carbon.
Local centre and high streets at NW Bicester exemplar were designed by Place 54 Architects for A2Dominion with community hall, convenience retail, nursery, pub, shops, cafe and small business units. Elmsbrook first pahse with 400 homes won the Bioregional the One Planet Living award and includes 40% green infrastructure, primary school, co working hub, cafe. A walkable neighbourhood design and local amenities provide containment of trips which is the most significant contribution in achieving sustainable travel along with subsidised bus service, segregated cycle paths, electric vehicle charging and car club.
