We therefore use masterplanning not only as a way of describing an ideal layout in terms of movement, use of space and functional organisation, but also as a means to orchestrate the best possible circumstances for life. A good masterplan promotes the sharing of social infrastructure and public transport, maximises economic investment, and yet minimises environmental impact.
Our Community Planning process can be applied to any scale of project, and has been shown to accelerate key decision-making processes, break down barriers to development, and generate a common sense of ownership. Such shared visions are not only attractive to private investment, but also serve to strengthen local communities and build civic pride.
We are experts in remaking places by transforming run-down housing estates, struggling neighbourhoods, and places of historical and industrial heritage through strategies that revitalise the physical, social and economic aspects of communities.
We don’t subscribe to a ‘one size fits all’ signature style, believing instead that thoughtful architecture grows out of a response to context. But we do adhere to some basic prerequisites; articulation of façade, good proportions, enduring materials and designing with a human scale. We specialise in designing residential-led, mixed-use developments, and our list of awards reflects this. We pay attention to orientation, daylight, and external space. We have developed a deep understanding of what people are looking for in a home, and how this varies according to age, income, and culture.
We have developed a bespoke approach and structure that ensures our codes are increasingly friendly, legible, and easily navigable instruction manuals that follow the design development process and clearly define mandatory requirements and non-mandatory guidance.
Our Design Code methodology has evolved and been refined through our work on Barton Farm in Winchester, Chilmington Green in Ashford, Alconbury Weald in Cambridgeshire, Rugby Radio Station, Rugeley Power Station and multiple others.
JTP’s project at Weyside Urban Village, Guildford, was chosen as one of MHCLG’s first round of National Model Design Code pilot projects. Working with Guildford Borough Council, JTP carried out a six-month programme to evaluate the application of the new National Model Design Code methodology to Phase 1 of the project.
Throughout the design process we scrutinise all elements for cost efficiencies, sustainability, running costs and whole-life costs, with regular evaluation against budget and the investigation of alternative solutions that may drive up value or reduce costs.
