Sutherland Road is a new development in Walthamstow, east London, which combines residential, medical and landscape design. The site was formerly occupied by semi-derelict industrial units, and backs onto older terraced housing behind. The challenge was to create a new, mixed-tenure development that could work with the contrasting boundary conditions whilst providing a sense of place.

Designed as a cohesive whole, the scheme provides 59 new affordable homes, a health centre, a shared communal garden and integrated landscaping throughout. The aesthetic of the scheme takes its cue from the industrial setting, and is robust and simple. A combination of steeply pitched and saw-toothed roofs, combined with brick and red corrugated metal cladding, reflect the local context and gives the new development a strong identity. The landscape plays a crucial role in unifying the scheme, providing a variety of environments for residents, from formal grass, to informal seating, and children’s play areas.