Shortlist

36,37 & 38 New Pond Street, Newhall

We’ve shortlisted these three-storey, four-bedroom houses in Newhall in part because of their simple, almost minimalist, lines and in part because they stand out as a distinctive, unique in this neighbourhood, group of three. The houses’ proportions and spacing have been thought about and there are interesting contrasts in colours that connect the second-floor box bays with the ground floor linked garages and entrances at the side. Designed by AR Design Studio.

Carlton Place, Old Harlow

Yes, this is a new build – not a renovation of an original regency terrace. There are 12 flats inside and basement parking accessed from the back so a lot of accommodation has been packed into this tight corner site. The style matches its immediate neighbours on Wayre Street and there are a lot of interesting features reflecting the period; the curves, the semi-basement, the parapets, the chimneys and the choices of brick and render finishes. Designed by Weedon Architects.

3, 4 & 5 Quiet Lane, Newhall

This short terrace is never going to be dull. There are variations in line, size, number of stories and the arrangements and positions of front doors, windows and garages. We also like the pargeting style to the treatment given to the brickwork which has been well executed. Despite all this feature-richness, this little terrace is definitely all of a piece conceptually and has a nice urban feel to it which sits well with the concept of Harlow being a town in the country. Designed by Scott Brownrigg.

Lister House

Though it can’t magic away waiting times, Lister House has been designed to provide the best NHS treatments in an airy, patient-friendly, accessible, facility where you can see your GP, go to the dentist, attend a clinic and pick up your medicines all under one roof. The exterior and interior lines are functional and clean, as suits its purpose, and there are lots of ways that energy is conserved, such as by thermal insulation, solar shading, PV panels and movement activated lighting. On the outside there’s parking on site but green transport – the use of bicycles and buses is encouraged. The sculpture by Tim Shutter fits right in being expressive, imaginative and strangely medicinal. Designed by CAMM Architects.

Newhall Primary School and Nursery

Not the first timber-cladded academy in Harlow* but this style of finish works impressively well when used, as here, throughout a large sculptural form and when complimented by well-proportioned and well-spaced contrasting doors and windows. We particularly like the attention given to consistent design detail as in the recessed, boxed window frames, including the occasional use of matched louvres, and the recessed box-section rainwater pipes. It’s a building that strongly and elegantly states its purpose and sits well in its setting. Designed by astudio london.

*That was Passmores

Anglia Ruskin University – ARISE

Timber-cladding works well here especially as there is a contrast in materials and colour at the lower portion of the ground floor which is picked out also at the roof line. This building is an incubator for tech startups. It’s simple in shape, which would have helped keep costs down, so to succeed architecturally it uses understatement, elegant proportions and interesting detailing such as the continuation of the wood cladding in the first-floor window louvres. We understand that the fencing is more to do with the next-door office block and that ARISE will be ready for the new academic year. Designed by Scott Brownrigg

Oakwood Pond

Oakwood Pond is situated near Princess Alexandra Hospital in Little Parndon and has been transformed by a joint community project involving Harlow and Essex Councils, contractors and local volunteers.

The pond and surrounding area possibly date back as far as the 1100s as a stew pond for the Canons Brook monastery and were later part of the grounds of Upper House in the 1700s. Neglected and an eyesore in recent past years, it is made beautiful once again.

The work included removing excess trees and vegetation to open up the area again and reinstating the original pond and its spring water supply for local flooding prevention.

The result is a new environment for people as well as a diverse range of plant and animal life to share. Designed by Harlow District Council.

Harlow Science Park Landscaping

The infrastructure for Harlow Science Park includes extensive landscaping for the roads and open spaces between various plots and business developments; Kao Park is a well-known example of these. The Park extends to 35 hectares and its infrastructure landscaping is analogous to the green framework within the town itself and similarly includes a rich variety of hundreds of indigenous trees and shrubs to provide a park-like setting for this growing sci-tech business community. Designed by MacFarlane & Associates.