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Fairfield Toll House Gardens, Perth

Brief

Gaia were commissioned by Fairfield Housing Co-operative to design a low-allergen/trigger Housing Development for the remaining, and most prominent, site in Fairfield.

Design Materials

The 1-2- storey development, which is nearing completion, comprises 14 1- & 2-bed units arranged around a car-free courtyard. Parking is restricted to the entrance of the devlopment with the units access via footpaths off the communal courtyard. Initial research into the provision of low allergen environments by Gaia Architects was funded by the RIBA. The development is now part of the subsequent research project led by Gaia Research which is funded by the DTI and supported by Communities Scotland, the RIBA, Strathclyde University, BAXI and Forbo Nairn.Only benign materials have been specified and materials containing known allergens or triggers (eg Formaldehyde) have been avoided. Materials with hygroscopic properties have been specified that will aid moisture management and help maintain low relative humidity levels in which moulds and mites (two main asthma triggers) cannot survive. This will further be supported by the provision of adequate ventilation systems and the effects of conventinal ventilation will be compared with those of whole house ventilation and dynamic ventilation.