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Design for Life

Architect. The very word suggests glamour and the homes of the rich and famous. They have their place. But what of the social architects who work to provide homes that make a difference to the lives of the people who live there?

Vicky Saunders, Managing Director of BTP Architects in Manchester, is a social architect, working with RPs across the country to design and build, and convert buildings to provide homes and community spaces that make a difference for the people who live in an area.

Do social architects have a responsibility to not only meet budgets and timescales for clients but also to develop designs that help the people who will live in the homes?

I believe they do.

More light in homes, low heating bills, Secure by Design, bedroom space, room for children to play, and overall functionality should all be part of new build social housing.

True, architecture alone is never going to solve all society’s problems but strong, thoughtful design can help improve neighbourhoods for the people who live there.

Social homes built now should still look good in ten years’ time to ensure tenants want to live in them and build solid communities.

There is still a lot that needs addressing and social architects have to work within the financial boundaries set by housing associations and councils tasked by Government with increasing the number of homes available for a range of tenures with an ever reducing budget.

Architects are always faced with extremes and Government policies. Twenty years ago, one bedroomed homes were the norm but now the clamour is for two beds as people seek to downsize to avoid the bedroom tax.

The introduction of Universal Credit has hit housing associations and councils hard as they work to collect rents from their tenants. Less rent means less money to build and social architects need display robust, long-term visions for the areas they are asked to develop.

When Parliament regroups after the election, we will learn what is expected of us. We must be ready to meet the challenge.

The social housing sector is not for everyone.

After more than 20 years, I know we all start out feeling that everyone has had the same life experience as us but, in social housing, we quickly learn that isn’t the case.

Some of my own experiences seem hardly believable.

Sitting in a church hall meeting when bullets flew through the windows; watching as scrap metal sellers loaded their car boots with mud so they weighed more when sent for recycling; homes with no beds; no toothbrushes; relying on foodbanks. Poverty.

But there are success stories. The church that was the target for bullets is in Moss Side, Manchester. Five years later and there is no trouble.

There has been much development in the area and the homes that have been built have contributed to the safer community.

People need support. They need to feel safe and proud of their homes and communities.

That’s why I believe strong, purposeful social architecture is vital and those of us who have chosen the social route in our career have a responsibility to deliver.

Vicky Saunders, Managing Director

Published in Housing Association Magazine, July 2017.

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