Leeds Swarcliffe

In 2002, Buttress was commissioned as masterplanners at bid stage for the PFI led regeneration of the Swarcliffe housing estate in Leeds. The brief called for new housing to replace approximately 470 unpopular dwellings, together with an improved vehicular and pedestrian circulation network.

A new north-south route through the estate was proposed and became the primary generator for the redevelopment strategy. It was felt that this route should read clearly as a confident piece of new infrastructure, distinct from the existing roads in shape, materials and street furniture. The use of a repetitive curved geometry was chosen to provide distinct character, thread the route sensitively around and between existing buildings and to provide inherent traffic calming.