The programme is for a co-living facility that provides affordable housing in central London as well as a community hub for the public. Moving on from the initial project – which looked at how space is used in public and private realms and how these often intertwine – the emphasis for the main project was on exploring how boundary lines between these different uses can fade.

The chosen site is in Elephant and Castle because it is a rapidly changing and highly politicised area. Formerly home to the now demolished Heygate Estate, the area is transforming into a transport hub filled with offices, shopping malls and high-end housing. Local people are being relocated with little compensation, meaning they have to move out of London and even lose their jobs.

This project aims to combat this problem; it takes inspiration from precedents ranging from 1850’s French collective housing though to Buddhist monasteries and Islamic courtyards. As a facility, the building encourages a community spirit among residents through the sharing of social spaces like gardens and laundromats, while letting the public engage too. As more people move into London, the demand for affordable housing will rise, hence this building will adapt accordingly.