A community-led, multi-generational, live-work scheme in Frome, Somerset.

Following our recent collaboration with Studio Saar on their Third Space project in Rajasthan, India, we worked with the UK team on this community masterplan project for a site in Frome, adjacent to the practice’s premises in an old silk mill.

Their masterplan creates a sustainable, multi-generational live/work scheme in Saxonvale, developed as an alternative to a locally contentious developer-led proposal for a more commercial scheme.

Key to our brief was to convey the viability, design ambition and contribution to community that Mayday Saxonvale would make, create a sense of excitement, and ultimately secure a successful alternative planning consent.

Our mixed medium images show an overview of the site including the two residential elements that Studio Saar would take forward. A proposed lido and culvert stream sit alongside beautiful central gardens to which all homes will have access, and which will include communal assets such as growing beds, greenhouses and firepits. A second image shows a garden space in more detail, and illustrates the potential for multiple uses to help build and enhance community.

Given the significance of the planning consent, we wanted to introduce a level of innovation in the creation of the images and used the interactive tool, Rive, to highlight the more important or adaptive areas of the scheme and communicate the way that different elements work together.

Mayday Saxonvale is currently the only consented scheme for the site.