FAQs — About the Skyroom approach
What is ‘airspace’?
Airspace is the vertical space that exists above an existing building.
Why should landowners be interested in airspace development?
Local Authorities have housing targets and Housing Associations have development targets. Both have responsibility to maintain high-quality homes for their tenants. Most urban development starts with land acquisition. Airspace development unlocks value in existing stock while contributing to maintenance through upgrade works. Delivering new homes can bring with them improvements to the building’s energy performance and amenities, such as installing renewable energy sources, or creating green roofs.
Is airspace development better than traditional development?
When done well, airspace development can be faster, less expensive and better for the environment. This is because Skyroom uses modern methods of construction (MMC) to deliver precision-manufactured homes. These homes are built offsite, in a factory in the north of England. This means the completed homes can simply be transported to site and secured in place. Overall, construction takes a fraction of the time when compared to traditional construction methods. It causes much less disruption to existing residents and local communities.
Why build upwards, not outwards?
By building up, we prevent ‘urban sprawl’ and protect the city’s green spaces. With less far to travel between work, homes, and local amenities, the need for transport is reduced, keeping the city cleaner. Read more in Rise Up, Chapter 1. Developing the airspace above suitable buildings could deliver 630,000 new homes in London alone (WSP, 2014).
Who would want to live on a roof?
Well located, designed and built: these new homes are amongst the most beautiful and desirable places to live in London. Read more about Skyroom’s approach in Rise Up, Chapter 4.
What are ‘sustainable’ homes?
These will be amongst the most sustainable homes ever built. Airspace developments conserve embodied energy (the sum of carbon stored in the materials that make up a building and the energy it took to build it) by extending the life of the existing building through upgrade works. Precision-manufacturing the homes offsite in and installing renewable energy sources for both new and existing homes reduces the operational energy (the sum of carbon emissions of a building in-use) compared to traditional housebuilding.
What are ‘beautiful’ homes?
Beauty is subjective. By beauty, we mean that these homes will be well designed by leading architects, engineers and interior designers. Skyroom design principles prioritise giving all homes high ceilings, dual aspect views, private outdoor space, and access to a planted green roof. Interiors have self-finishing natural materials such as cork and plywood.
What are ‘affordable’ homes?
Affordable housing is defined by the Government and Greater London Authority as social rent, affordable rent, intermediate rent and affordable homeownership. Skyroom delivers homes for key workers both for rent and for sale, via registered providers.
Why just London?
Our ambition is to deliver, at scale, thousands of new homes across London for local key workers. For 2020–2021, London is the priority for the Key Worker Homes Fund. Other areas of the country have their own unique challenges. We believe the ‘urban land price crisis’, is most acute in London. Find out more about this by reading our white paper, Rise Up.
Is this model possible because of the Government’s relaxation of permitted development rights?
No. The extension of permitted development rights (PDR) to readily pass one or two storey airspace development on certain buildings will not impact Skroom. Our work is design-led, follows the traditional steps of delivery, and requires planning permission like any other projects. Community Engagement, extensive consultation and planning are two fundamental instruments in our toolbox, and we recognise the responsibility to lead the way and show how this model can be done well. We underpin this commitment through:
- Our white paper, Rise Up
- Our Resident’s Charter
- Our Development Principles
Get in touch to find out more about any of these.
How do the Key Worker Homes Fund’s ambitions link with MHCLG and GLA policy and initiatives?
There are some overlaps, in particular in the promotion of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), increasing urban density, and a drive toward the 15-minute city.
Is there any connection to Homes for Heroes initiative?
There is no formal connection. However, Skyroom has relationships with many of the Housing Associations which make up the G15. The Key Worker Homes Fund has reached out to the Homes for Heroes campaign and would like to work with them and collaborate. Together, we can deliver more homes.
Applications to the Key Worker Homes Fund have now closed.
Find out more about: the Key Worker Homes Fund | Skyroom | our white paper, Rise Up
