Taylor Wimpey wins design award

Taylor Wimpey has won a Housing Design award for its Oxley Woods development in Milton Keynes.

Featuring 78 homes – 30% affordable housing – it was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and uses light-weight timber-frame panels built on site on the back of a lorry.

Roofs each have an “ecohat” cowl with a solar heating panel and recovery system that recycles heat out of stale air.

The overall winner of the awards, sponsored by the Department of Communities and Local Government, was Chimney Pot Park in Salford.

Developed by Urban Splash, the project included refurbishment of 347 properties, including a layout switch so bedrooms are on the ground floor and living areas on the first floor.

Housing minister Caroline Flint said: “These awards show the incredible results that can be achieved when strong partnerships are formed between local communities, planners, architects and developers.”