Unit 5A has been reimagining alternative ways of urban living inspired by Milton Keynes’ unrealised GreenTown movement, not only paying homage to the city’s zero-carbon strategies, but also its desire to solidify the New Town narrative in the UK. To combat placelessness, car-dependency, and the ever-growing costs of living, Z-Town strives to revolutionise urban dwellings for future generations.

Z-Town has three aims. Cost-efficiency – utilising prefabricated housing units for ease of expansion or demolition; identity – celebrating the historic qualities of the listed monuments nearby such as Central Milton Keynes Library and Secklow Mound; and circulation – providing vertical hierarchy for both public and private realms.

Furthermore, post-war Metabolism has become a key inspiration for this project, taking architectural elements from Habitat 67 and the Cube House to form a fascinating and adaptive community of young individuals who are willing to upkeep GreenTown’s legacy.