How We Live
This housing proposal includes apartments ranging from one to three bed homes. The scheme also combines services in response to researching ‘PEACH’, People’s Empowerment Alliance for Custom House, a charity based in the location of the project, Custom House in Newham, East London. Since its creation in 2013, the charity has been working with the local community to create positive change regarding housing and the local economy. The proposed site has an existing building on it with services on the ground floor. Part of PEACH’s ambition is for the existing stores to maintain support as well as invite new services to create more employment opportunities. With that in mind, all the existing businesses as well as new services are included in the design.
The design thesis addresses how architecture can achieve a more sustainable future by using recycled materials and prefabricated parts. This will reduce the production of waste created in the construction industry. In the UK, construction produces 50 per cent of the total waste a year and therefore, by aiming to infuse prefabricated parts and recycled materials, waste will decrease.
With that in mind, this proposal has a prefabricated cross laminated superstructure wrapped in recycled brick. The recycled brick is sourced from the large area that is going to be demolished in Custom House according to the Two Phase Masterplan by Adam Khan Architects and Newham Council. To ensure as much material is recycled as possible, each brick type in the area is incorporated in the facade alongside different roof tiles; giving the building a collage-like appearance.
The second part of the thesis refers to how architecture can create outdoor spaces to ensure mental and physical well being. As a result of COVID-19, the appreciation of nature has increased as the nation was encouraged to stay at home to control the spread of the virus. Therefore, the proposal consists of outside spaces for the collective and the individual.
Through different mediums, I explored the materials, textures and character of the area. The elevational studies helped me understand the push and pulls that form various facade’s composition and how brick can be manipulated around edges and openings.