In the final public workshop of a three stage selection process, Archio were chosen as the winning practice through a public vote. The “Pick up an Architect” workshop allowed residents and members of the community to vote for their favourite practice to deliver the proposals.

The three shortlisted practices, Archio, Bell Phillips and Kin Architects with Bere:Architects, met with members of Lewisham Citizens and local residents, to discuss the potential development of the underused garage site, gifted by the council, on a Lewisham local authority housing estate.

Residents were given the opportunity to voice their hopes and concerns for the future of the area and engage directly with the architects to discuss designs for a scheme which will improve the green space, give greater security and draw the community together. The competition process has ensured that local people are able to lead the process to design, build, allocate and manage the homes in partnership with London Community Land Trust.

Kyle Buchanan, Director of Archio

“We are thrilled to have been selected by the local residents as the architect for this project. The London Community Land Trust is at the forefront of tackling the lack of decent homes in London, and we are proud be part of this new model for the delivery of affordable housing. We are looking forward to getting stuck in to the many challenges of the project and working closely with the client and local residents to deliver these much needed homes.”

Calum Green, Co-Director of London CLT

“The opportunity to deliver this site what secured through a campaign by local community organisation Lewisham Citizens. Therefore, after shortlisting a number of great practices, we decided we had to hand over the ultimate decision of selecting the Architects to local people. We couldn’t be happier that they chose Archio! This is our first scheme delivered directly by us and we’re looking forward to building on our experience at our other sites to deliver the affordable homes Lewisham so desperately needs.”

The resulting project will deliver 10-12 affordable housing units on the site, under the Community Land Trust Model, whereby price of the completed homes will be based on average local earnings rather than the market rate.

This is London Community Land Trust’s first scheme that they will see through all stages of the build.

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