Bowthorpe

The Challenge
Bowthorpe is a high-quality development of 174 new homes together with landscaped open space, community gardens and a children’s play area on an area of undeveloped land in Norwich.

The development was inspired by nearby Bowthorpe Hall and explored the idea of an historic walled garden with homes built within its boundary. 

As part of the site’s high environmental standards, it was critical that existing features, such as important tree belts and hedges were retained while also accommodating a proposed network of cycle and walking routes.

The Solution
Forterra’s Breckland Reserve – a red, tumbled, wirecut brick – was used alongside flint on the ground floor of some of the homes to create detailed wall work that echoed Bowthorpe Hall.

Traditional red tiled roof pitches sit above the wall and reference Bowthorpe Cottages. On top of the wall sit cedar shingle clad upper floors.

Traditional terraces form most of the new homes, with flats provided alongside unique mews-style housing.

The Benefits
The building form, the materials selected, and the use of pattern and decoration, helped to create a visual connection to the local area.