Project: 30 Factory-Built Homes – Redbridge Quay
Architecture: shedkm
Location: Wirral, England
Year: 2022
Photo Credits: Daniel Hopkinson
Town + Row House
The first phase of Redbridge Quay consists of 30 factory-built homes, featuring the latest iteration of shedkm’s Town House product and the newly developed Row House typology. While both utilize modular construction, Row House offers a smaller, more affordable format designed for greater flexibility. Each unit can be positioned next to any other, allowing for unique and varied street elevations driven by customer choice.
A total of 15 three-story Town Houses form a straight terrace along the docks, creating a unified elevation reminiscent of the warehouses that previously occupied the site. These houses and their rear decks rise above the dockside public promenade, providing residents with additional privacy.
Perpendicular to the Town Houses, three parallel terraces of Row Houses frame shared gardens. The outer terraces provide oblique views of the dock through newly created public spaces, while the Town Houses act as a barrier, shielding the gardens from strong winds off the water.
Distinctive material choices differentiate the two typologies: the Row Houses feature bright red profiled metal sheets, referencing the historic dockside infrastructure of red cranes and bridges, whereas the Town Houses showcase white glazed bricks.
Customer Choice
Shedkm prioritizes customization, offering homebuyers a high degree of flexibility. Town House purchasers can choose from 18 plan layouts, resulting in 54 potential house types within a standard shell. Homes can range from three to six bedrooms, with layouts accommodating both open-plan and more traditional configurations. Generous floor-to-floor heights and large windows ensure ample natural light.
For Row House, customers can select from two-, two-and-a-half- (with a roof terrace), or three-story designs. These can be positioned freely within a terrace, producing dynamic streetscapes shaped by homeowners. At Wirral Waters, each Row House terrace adopts a unique configuration, enhancing visual interest. Additionally, the two gable-end houses nearest the docks incorporate roof terraces with waterfront views.
Despite the compact footprint and narrower width, Row House enables high-density living while maintaining generous space standards. Like Town House, it features large windows and high environmental performance. While ground and first-floor layouts remain fixed, purchasers can select from six second-floor variations, and roof terraces can be positioned at either the front or rear, depending on preferred views and orientation. A flexible planning framework defines the building envelope, with customer choices determining each plot’s ultimate height.
Offsite Technology
Offsite fabrication plays a fundamental role in the success of Redbridge Quay, particularly for the Town House and Row House typologies. This construction method allows for a high degree of customization while ensuring adherence to project timelines, something traditional methods could not achieve.
For over 20 years, shedkm has championed Modular Methods of Construction (MMC), beginning with the pioneering MoHo apartments. Their adaptable design approach aligns seamlessly with modular construction principles. With the urgency of the climate crisis and the demand for affordable housing, MMC provides a compelling solution by delivering speed, efficiency, choice, and superior environmental performance.
Having worked with over a dozen clients and manufacturers across different modular systems, shedkm applies its extensive expertise to select the most suitable approach for each project. The firm continues to explore new techniques that expand MMC’s reach and impact, setting new standards for the future of factory-built housing.
