Alban Dobson House

Mitcham

Formation Architects have submitted planning for a 100% social rent scheme for the veteran community, consisting of 29 residential units and a community facility on behalf of Haig Housing Trust in Morden, Mitcham.

Client: Haig Housing Trust
Size: 29 residential units & community facility
Sectors
Mainstream Residential
Services
Concept Design, Capacity Studies, Planning Applications, Employer's Requirements

Alban Dobson House is situated on Haig Housing’s Morden estate, at the junction of Green Lane and Hill Top in the London Borough of Merton. Additionally, the scheme is within the Upper Morden Conservation Area. The development features a 3.5-storey L-shaped apartment building at the front of the site and a 2.5-storey apartment building located at the rear. There are 29 residential units, offering a mix of 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes, arranged to achieve 100% dual aspect to maximise light and views, with access to ample community amenity space including children’s play space. 20% units are wheelchair accessible.

A community facility is located on the ground floor of the southern wing of the building along Green Lane for residents of the wider Haig Housing Estate. The location ensures a clear and separate entrance via Hill Top and links with the large, landscaped garden which is centred around the existing oak tree.

Additionally, the scheme provides 13 car parking spaces and cycle storage. The scheme includes landscaped areas, play space, refuse storage and 56 cycle parking spaces.

Haig Housing Trust has been supporting the British veteran community and their families for over 100 years, providing housing assistance to eligible veterans in need – whether they are transitioning into civilian life or are simply in need of a helping hand .

Trauma-Informed Design

The community will be home to veterans and their families, many of whom live with PTSD, so a trauma‑informed design approach is essential.

Creating connections to nature is a core component of the design. Research shows that spending time in and around nature provides psychological and physical health benefits. Using the “prospect‑and‑refuge” principle, occupants can look out over their surroundings while remaining comfortably concealed.

To combat negative associations with institutional spaces, the palette adopts residential cues — wood‑effect flooring and gypsum board walls.

Sustainability

The proposal prioritizes sustainability through a holistic approach that includes a minimum on-site carbon reduction of 50% achieved via exhaust air heat pumps and renewable energy sources. The building fabric is highly thermally efficient, following a fabric-first strategy with passive design measures, low air permeability, and minimal thermal bridging.

Photovoltaic panels are integrated on a minimized roof area, and materials are chosen for their low embodied carbon and environmental impact. Water efficiency is addressed with water-saving fittings, efficient appliances, and prefabricated utility pods.

The scheme targets a 10% biodiversity net gain, surpassing an urban greening factor of 0.5. Traditional construction methods further reduce carbon emissions, while both construction and operational waste are carefully managed.

Landscaping

The landscaping proposal aims to provide residential amenity both internally and externally. Residents’ experience will be enhanced by creating a high-quality environment by maximising views out – all units will have views out, creating natural surveillance. Access to green spaces and urban greening, as well as integrated play with robust paving and planting.

Creating spaces with varying character where people can come together and socialise.

Existing trees of good quality are retained and will shape the building towards Green Lane.

The proposed scheme will significantly enhance the character and quality of Green Lane, Hill Top, and the wider Haig Housing estate. Delivering 29 high-quality, 100% affordable homes at social rent, alongside a centrally located community facility that serves both residents and the local neighbourhood.

Alban Dobson House adopts a contemporary design approach that respects and complements the surrounding conservation area, using durable, high-quality materials. The layout is carefully designed to foster neighbourly interaction through deck-access typology and shared landscaped gardens. Existing trees are retained and additional planting introduced to boost biodiversity and ecology.

Overall, the scheme improves legibility, wayfinding, and spatial coherence while enhancing the urban grain through thoughtful integration with its context.

The scheme will create a new high quality development in a sustainable location, that improves the overall visual appearance of the site and the wider area.

Next Case Study:

Wandle House

Planning is approved for a 25-unit residential scheme located at London Borough of Merton on behalf of SINTL.