Inspired by yacht interiors and first-class airline suites, a development of 16 single-person homes has been approved for a former brownfield site in the centre of Worcester, near Birmingham, England.
The company behind the scheme, iKozie, believes the homes, which measure just 17.25 square metres in area, could be a template for other cities at a time when affordable housing is scarce.
Construction will begin in early 2019 and the scheme will contain five affordable homes allocated to people put forward by the city council from its housing list. The rest will be for private rent.
Of the 16 homes for rent, five will be affordable
Two will be disabled friendly, and some will be double stacked on the site near Cecil Road.
Each unit has a bedroom, shower room, living area and full kitchen including appliances. The ergonomic layout was inspired by yacht interiors and first-class airline suites, iKozie said in announcing the approval yesterday.
Worcester City Council backed the scheme after plans were submitted at the start of this year. iKozie director Kieran O’Donnell said it had been an arduous process.
The ergonomic design was inspired by tight spaces like yachts and first-class airline suites
"This is a historic day for the city of Worcester. The approval of the first iKozie community will draw a lot of attention from around the country and Worcester City Council is to be congratulated for its vision in supporting this innovative housing scheme," he said.
"It hasn’t been an easy road to get here as we have revised the plans to ensure the council’s view and the thoughts and concerns of residents near the development have been taken into consideration."
Dinner is served: The full kitchen includes appliances
Designed by O’Donnell and Andrew Eastabrook of Eastabrook Architects, the iKozie first captured attention when unveiled by The Homeless Foundation, of which O’Donnell is also a trustee, in October 2017.
One fan is Councillor James Stanley, Chair of the council’s Communities Committee.
"We are proud to support this application for more iKozie homes in Worcester," he said. "This is a much-needed and innovative housing solution, which will help more people in the city to live independently while also benefitting from being part of a wider community."
Not far to go when you’re tired
Top image: Drawing shows site perspective near Cecil Road, Worcester, England (All images courtesy of iKozie)
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