‘Building with the intent of communal maintenance and adaptability furthers the longevity of a community beyond the daily social interactions. Both historically and currently, funding for maintenance repairs for socially rented housing is minimal. Not only this, but both historically and currently funding for even building housing that the majority is socially rented is also minimal. These two factors combined have caused communities to dissipate, this being done through major repairs, rebuilding and rehousing. The needs of a community change over time but if there was a thoroughly designed building that has a material palette that is easily adaptable and ethos of communal maintenance, new and existing communities could last much longer than they have in the past.’
This Thesis Proposal holds 52 self-contained apartments that each host their own inset garden centralised around a shared communal courtyard that holds public allotments. The blocks can be constructed, adapted and dismantled by the residents themselves. Communal ownership is encouraged by shared walkways and communal decks where residents can bring out their personal dining furniture to sit and share.
The clients are the existing community of Custom House, many of which have been part of the community through generations. This community have felt threatened by the seemingly inevitable estate renewals and clearance that has been seen across London like the Heygate Estate. Custom House is facing the same sort of regeneration as this and as a result they came together as a community group called PEACH, The People Empowerment Alliance for Custom House, and designed their own masterplan – the Alternative Regeneration Plan.
