News / Housing
Council-backed ‘gap house’ scheme reaches final stage
A Bristol-launched housing scheme, which made it to the national newspapers, has reached its final phase.
Powered by the “Gap House” concept, which was devised and championed by the architectural firm BDP, the scheme was tipped to be a key component in the long-term strategy to address the housing crisis in Bristol.
The site, located near Southmead Hospital in Bell Close, Horfield, has converted a disused council-owned garage yard into a housing site that will see nine affordable homes built to the specifications of the Gap concept.
Bristol City Council, led by former mayor Marvin Rees when the plans were proposed, lauded the scheme to address the city’s “ferocious” housing crisis.
The off-the-site made “super insulated” panels are lowered on to the construction site in stages as the scheme progresses – photo: Beard
The council said in its initial consultation: “This project will revitalise the disused garage plots and deliver much-needed homes. Manufacture of the houses would largely be carried out off-site, which would cause less disruption than a traditional build during the construction phase.”
Gap houses are a term associated with the concept due to the utilisation of small spaces between houses and gardens. Due to the size of the building site, the off-site made panels are dropped into the construction site in stages as the project progresses.
Each one-bedroom house is equipped with an open-plan kitchen-living area and a bathroom on the ground floor, with a bedroom and storage on the first floor. According to the designers, the large windows are designed to maximise natural light.
Furthermore, each home will be insulated with low-energy lighting to support minimal heating requirements and will use renewable energy generated by solar PV panels and air source heat pumps, aiming to reduce environmental impact and running costs.
“Gap House” concept, which was devised and championed by the architectural firm BDP, the scheme was tipped to be a key component in the long-term strategy to address the housing crisis in Bristol – photo: BDP
Adam Darby, associate architect in BDP’s Bristol studio, said: “The Gap House has the potential to bring huge benefits to cities up and down the country where there are thousands of disused garage plots sitting empty, which could be transformed into much-needed housing.
“Having first conceived the idea of the Gap House some years ago, it is fantastic to see the project coming to fruition and nearing the moment when people can start moving in. A once derelict site will have a new lease of life, revitalising the neighbourhood and providing high-quality homes.”
The “super-insulated” panels, made using cutting-edge technology, are being brought to Bristol by lorry before being carefully lifted into position by crane. The installation of the internal walls, floors, and roofs is already underway.
The panels are made by the SIP (structural insulated panel) specialist Etopia, while the construction is carried out by the contractor Beard.
Beard, with an over 100-year legacy, expressed excitement about the challenge. Matt Cooper, director of Beard’s Bristol office, said: “The Gap House design is a thoughtful way to bring back to life disused urban spaces and could contribute to addressing the housing crisis and improving local communities.
“Over Beard’s 135-year history, we have been involved in many residential projects, but none quite like this.”
The layout of the houses is expected to promote “front porch culture,” with green space and outdoor seating in front of each home to encourage social interaction and community cohesion.
With groundworks already underway for the final phase of work, the City Council has expressed optimism.
Barry Parsons, chair of the homes and housing delivery committee at Bristol City Council, said: “The council welcomes the progress of these innovative new homes for social rent, which will help meet housing needs in the city.
“Utilising small pieces of brownfield land to deliver much-needed affordable homes is a priority for the council, and the learning from this, and other similar projects, will help us make better use of our smaller sites for affordable housing delivery.”
BDP originally showcased its Gap House concept design at the Housing Festival Expo in 2018, as a strategic measure to meet the city’s acute housing crisis while revitalising neighbourhoods.
A council-owned disused garage yard on Bell Close near Southmead Hospital has been transformed into an affordable housing site – photo: Beard
The scheme was commissioned by Bristol City Council’s housing development team and funded by the local authority’s housing and landlord service.
Main photo: BDP
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