The Solidspace Manifesto, entitled Development as Art, was published in 2007. The first edition which includes eight monoprints in the Tate’s collection of artists’ books. The manifesto is at the heart of Solidspace culture. It underpins the practices approach to everything. Solidspace chairman Roger Zogolovitch wrote that the manifesto states in its opening passage: ‘This is my development philosophy and manifesto. It’s a description of a radical approach to development, informed by my long-term personal experience as an architect and developer. I make development as art. The market desperately needs inspiration, and it needs products that will retain their value.
Solidspace wants to create excellent residential buildings that express our values. We use a collaborative management process that brings together architects, suppliers, craftspeople, visionaries, surveyors, consultants and specialists. Each development is the result of integrated teamwork. We are progressive, responsive and accountable. This process reduces risk and improves profitability.
We are aware that domestic life has grown more complex. Therefore, we make homes that respond to the flexible needs of today’s homebuyers. For example, we use the half-level as a device to allow the extended family to live together, while retaining degrees of autonomy. Thought is always given to the differing needs of parents and children, and the requirements of working from home.
Solidspace homes are intelligent - mixing high-technology with the optimum use of natural resources. Solidspace homes integrate function-driven technology - the white goods, the entertainment needs, the services - with the passive use of nature. Light, air, the daily orientation of the sun: our homes draw from natural benefits, and Solidspace designs to maximise them. We keep carbon usage down and efficiency up.
Solidspace DNA
The Solidspace DNA is a trademark design concept that arranges spaces for eating, living and working over an open series of half-levels. It is present in Solidspace’s one-off homes or multiple apartments.
“We are driven by light, volume and character. This is a combination of the space we create inside the development, the light that we flood it with and the materials that we use in its construction. By using the split levels with the open, double volume connected social space, the pleasure of occupation expands.”
– Roger Zogolovitch
Split Level
By using half-levels, the stairs double up as corridors creating a double-height void and our open-plan design takes out redundant walls, thereby allowing light in from all angles. Research shows that our model promotes healthy and sustainable lifestyle – natural light helps people lead more productive, happier, healthier and calmer.
Small Sites
Small sites are challenging to deliver. Design plays a huge role, as well as having a genuine understanding of the existing community. The volume housebuilders aren’t interested in smaller pockets of land, because they require greater investment, but Solidspace revel in them because they involve collaboration and design challenge.
Bespoke Design
Solidspace homes are designed to allow the balance of privacy and sociability. The practice design homes that encourage communal values but avoid baffling design or gimmicks, allowing for their homes to behave as their resident wants them to behave whilst matching character of their surroundings. Adding to an area rather than taking away.
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