Floodplain ideas

The government has announced funding for Barker and Coutts Architects' [who?] schemes for floodplain housing after having seen what they've been up to as part of their LiFE project. This project has apparently been done with BRE, English Partnerships, LDA Design, Fulcrum Consulting, HR Wallingford and Cyrill Sweett to "devise and disseminate a set of principles for an integrated approach to planning and design that can be replicated in a range of conditions around the UK and are potentially transferable to other parts of the world." I have to admit that this is the first I've heard about this project (although it was featured in one of the RIBA's exhibitions last year). The designs aren't particularly my style, but the ideas are certainly interesting.

This scheme will be one of six pilots as part of the Making Space for Water Innovation Fund - others include farming on floodplains and how woodlands can help soak up floodwaters.