Bristol City Council has funded the transformation of disused garages in Horfield, Bristol, to create nine one-bedroom, two-storey homes for social rent.
The project was designed by BDP, with Beard and Etopia building the homes using structural insulated panels.
The homes are energy efficient, use solar PV panels and air source heat pumps, and feature high insulation and low energy lighting.
Each property has an open-plan kitchen-living area and bathroom on the ground floor, with a bedroom and storage upstairs.
The design includes large windows for natural light and a front porch area with green space and seating to encourage social interaction.
Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee at Bristol City Council, said: “Creating safe and healthy neighbourhoods, with affordable, high-quality homes is one of the council’s key priorities, and working with partners is key to helping us achieve these goals.
“These nine new homes will be a real asset to the council’s housing stock and allow us to make a real difference to the lives of nine households in need of an affordable home.
“Using innovation and MMC, the Gap House concept has allowed us to build vital homes on a difficult site with limited access.”
Parsons added: “I am also delighted that the new homes are low energy and sustainable, which will result in cheaper energy bills for future tenants.”
Nick Fairham, CEO at BDP, said: “The Gap House showcases a huge potential to transform the thousands of disused garage plots across the country into much-needed, sustainable and affordable housing.
“It shows the power of thinking innovatively about how we repurpose small pockets of derelict brownfield land to help create thriving cities and communities that benefit all.”
Local ward councillors, including Labour Group Leader Councillor Tom Renhard and Deputy Group Leader Councillor Carole Johnson, said: “We are delighted to see new innovative, environmentally friendly council homes completed.
“Bristolians are now living in places that provide security, warmth and a better future. Bristol desperately needs more council housing; these are the exact sort of homes that need to be built at scale across the city if we are to make progress tackling the housing crisis.
“Our thanks go to partners: Etopia, BDP and Beard for their exemplary work on this high-quality scheme.
“Providing sustainable social housing built on under-utilised land for those most in need is to be commended.
“As local councillors, we are pleased to have played a role in making these homes a reality.”
