creative engagement with rural housing
“Planning policy statement 3 (housing)
states that local authorities should be aiming to create:
‘Places, streets and spaces which meet the needs of people, are
visually attractive, safe, accessible, functional, inclusive, have
their own distinctive identity and maintain and improve local
character’”
Building for Life, Commission for
Architecture and the Built Environment (2008)
A shortage of affordable homes in Dorset is predicted by the County
Council over the coming years which may lead to employment recruitment
and retention problems. Factors influencing this situation include a
new inward migration to the countryside from urban centres, increasing
second home ownership and an aging population demanding more accessible
and supported housing (and who will also need more carers who need low
cost housing). Equally newly formed households and young single people
starting out need new affordable housing provision. Although the
main reason for the lack of affordable housing stock, high house
prices, shows signs of being alleviated Dorset still faces issues such
lack of development land and large conservation areas.
The solution to these problems will only come through new thinking
about housing and housing design. For example lack of land and greater
single occupancy has led to a decrease in the space available per
housing unit on most builds – how can new design make houses feel
bigger, or overlap/join domestic and civic spaces ? How can houses be
thought of and designed to be not only environmentally friendly, but
positively beneficial, e.g. using renewable energy, better water
management systems or making space for local flora and fauna ?
In addressing this agenda it is also essential to look at the character
of houses, a major factor in their appeal. The challenge in sensitive
rural environments is how to respect local character without simply
repeating what has gone before, throwing together pastiches of
historical styles. Can there be ways of creating new vernacular
architectures which are distinct, functional, socially sensitive and
attractive ? There is certainly no doubt that good design adds to both
the quality of the built environment and potentially adds value to new
and refurbished housing stock in a difficult housing market.
As part of this mix artists and craftspeople can contribute both ideas
and knowledge of materials to projects. Ways this might be achieved
include:
• Involvement in masterplanning, consultation
and community planning processes
• Looking at architectural detailing, lighting,
shared furniture and communal spaces such as gardens
• Encouraging community cohesion though local
art interventions
• Developing new ways of using domestic spaces,
for instance a major contribution to national health would be
encouragement for residents to grow food in their domestic spaces
Theme case studies
Common places
Intergeneration
Links
The Same and Different
A public art project for Gallagher Estates and South Cambridgeshire District Council to develop projects in a new 900 home mixed-use development, Orchard Park (formerly Arbury Park), located on the northern fringe of Cambridge.
Scottish House
A review of recent experience in building individual and small groups of houses with a view to sustainability, the use of traditional and new materials, and innovative design.