Helios Road
London SM6
Architect: Bill Dunster / ZEDfactory
Register for similar homesInspire me“BedZED sets ambitious benchmarks in energy efficiency and green construction as the first environmentally-friendly housing development of its kind in the United Kingdom”
This innovative two-bedroom house is part of Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), the first environmentally-friendly housing development of its kind in the United Kingdom. Formed of 100 homes arranged around pedestrianised streets, it was built in 2002 and can be found on Helios Road in the leafy south London suburb of Hackbridge. There are wonderful community facilities, including a large meadow with gardens, an outdoor gym and vegetable plots, as well as an onsite community-run café.
The Architect
BedZED was conceived as a collaboration between architect Bill Dunster, whose practice ZEDfactory is a leader in zero-carbon design, environmental agency Bioregional, and Arup engineers. It set ambitious benchmarks in energy efficiency and green construction, with the overall aim of building homes with low running costs and a reduced carbon impact while creating a sustainable and environmentally conscious community. Most homes in the development are south-facing so are heated by solar gain, thanks also to their high levels of insulation. BedZED won the RIBA Housing Design Award for sustainability in 2001 and was shortlisted for the prestigious Stirling Prize in 2003.
The Tour
This wonderfully bright live/work unit measures over 900 sq ft internally, with entry at ground floor level from Helios Road. The house was originally designed as a workspace, and as such the ground floor is open-plan with soaring double-height ceilings. A bank of skylights draws in ambient light throughout the day, and there is a pleasant sense of flow between the spaces. The kitchen is on the left of the living area, replete with plywood cabinetry and cork floors.
On the opposite elevation, the current owners commissioned floor-to-ceiling bookshelves by designer-makers Emiliano Malferrari and Sam Haddow to sit between the doors to the bedroom and study. Also on the ground floor are two large storage cupboards and a WC. There is an industrial aesthetic throughout, which includes exposed steel beams and painted brick walls, which is softened by natural wood detailing and clever use of colour.
Upstairs, the bright mezzanine level is open, overlooking the living area below, and has been used in various ways: as a further bedroom, home office, and second living room. The family bathroom is adjacent, clad in playful light blue tiles.
There is a strong sense of community at BedZED and the shared facilities are used to host a gardening club, a crafting club, a parent and toddler group, exercise and meditation classes, a monthly BedZED Bar, an annual BedZED art exhibition and a Christmas craft fair.
The Area
Hackbridge is situated between Mitcham and the pretty village of Carshalton, in the London Borough of Sutton. There are several large parks nearby, including Beddington Park and Mitcham Common, as well as beautiful walks along the River Wandle. BedZED is ideally positioned for trips out of town, with easy access to Surrey and the southeast via the motorway network.
It is an eight-minute walk to Hackbridge Station, where services run to London Victoria in 20 minutes and to Blackfriars, Farringdon, and King’s Cross via the Thameslink line. Mitcham Junction, which is within fifteen minutes’ walk, is on the tram line that runs to Croydon and Wimbledon.
Tenure: Leasehold (live/work)
Lease Length: approx. 980 years remaining
Service Charge: approx. £1,060 per annum
Ground Rent: approx. £150 per annum
Parking: there is unallocated parking onsite
Council Tax Band: A (London Borough of Sutton)
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.
History
BedZED was conceived in 1997 as a collaborative project between architect Bill Dunster, environmental agency Bioregional and Arup engineers, at a time when Sutton Borough Council was selling a plot of undeveloped open land for a housing development near Beddington Farmlands. Alongside developer Peabody Trust, the project partners managed to secure the land and construction began in 2001. Both Bioregional and Zedfactory still maintain their main offices onsite at BedZED.
BedZED was built using natural, recycled and reclaimed materials; all of the wood used was approved by the Forest Stewardship Council or comparable internationally recognized environmental organizations. Just over half of the construction materials (by weight) were sourced within 35 miles – considerably closer than the construction industry average. The bricks used on the outside walls came from just 20 miles away and nearly all of the steel is reused, much of it coming from refurbishment work at Brighton Railway Station.
The development meets very high environmental standards, with a strong emphasis on roof gardens, sunlight, solar energy, reduction of energy consumption, and wastewater recycling. One of the main principles behind the development was warm, comfortable and cheaper-to-run homes. Most of BedZED’s homes are heated by solar gain and are highly insulated, with distinctive wind cowls to help fresh air circulate. A biomass boiler and solar panels provide some of BedZED’s electricity, meaning that the houses can remain close to the original zero-carbon vision. Water-saving appliances ensure that the average home uses almost 40% less water than average metered homes in Sutton.
