New insights into affordable housing: Woodknowledge Wales members, Jon James Studio Architecture sets the stage with ‘Creating Homes, Not Housing’
In the realm of affordable housing, few voices are as passionate and insightful as Jon James Studio Architecture. Known for their dedication to quality and community-centred design, they’ve recently released a powerful new document, “Creating Homes, Not Housing” that tackles the pressing issues facing affordable housing in the UK.
“As a studio, we wanted to step back from the busy day to day to really understand and analyze the challenges and complexities involved with creating homes that fall under the ‘affordable banner.’”
—Jon James Studio Architecture, in “Creating Homes, Not Housing”
Jon James Studio Architecture’s lead designers have taken a moment to pause, reflect, and evaluate their experiences in designing affordable homes—an opportunity, they say, to step back from the day-to-day grind and dive deeper into the challenges they face. “As a studio, we wanted to step back from the busy day to day to really understand and analyse the challenges and complexities involved with creating homes that fall under the ‘affordable banner’,” they share. “We needed to capture our experience to date around creating the highest quality homes in that context. We intend to continue to review and discuss with others and welcome comments and other experiences from those passionate about how we can together improve the quality of all our homes.”
Their reflections come at a time when public conversations about affordable housing are stirring up significant discourse, especially in light of The Observer’s recent feature, “They look like homes for rich people”: why Britain should look to Europe for its council housing revolution by Rowan Moore, published Sat 9 Nov 2024.
As Jon James Studio Architecture sees it, the future of affordable housing lies in reframing it as “Creating Homes, Not Housing.” By focusing on this mindset, they believe it is possible to establish homes that are not only high quality but also resonate deeply with the needs and spirit of the communities they serve.
“The document highlights how critical interdisciplinary collaboration is to the success of building quality homes and places.”
—Jon James Studio Architecture, in “Creating Homes, Not Housing”
5 Principles of Good Design in Affordable Housing
The guide encapsulates five principles of good design, emphasising that context should serve as the “golden thread” uniting every aspect of the design process.
- Contextual Sensitivity – Design should align with the character, history, and needs of the local area.
- Quality of Space – Both interior and exterior spaces should enhance residents’ daily experiences.
- Sustainability – Environmental considerations should be integral to design, from materials to energy use.
- Inclusivity – Spaces must be accessible, welcoming, and adaptable to different lifestyles.
- Longevity – Homes should be built to last, providing durability and ease of maintenance over time.
At a time when the housing crisis is intensifying, their work showcases the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together architects, urban planners, clients, and consultants to craft homes that stand as examples of thoughtful design and community well-being. “We have been fortunate to work with some inspirational clients and consultants,” they say. “This has given us the opportunity to see, and learn, how this can be achieved through collaboration. The document highlights how critical interdisciplinary collaboration is to the success of building quality homes and places.”
Key Concept: The Golden Thread of Context
In affordable housing, context is more than just a design element—it’s the “golden thread” that weaves together the architecture and community needs. By prioritizing the local context, architects can create spaces that feel integrated and meaningful to residents. As Jon James Studio Architecture emphasises, “understanding and respecting the environment around a home ensures it becomes a genuine part of the community, enhancing both social and environmental well-being.”
Feedback invited
This new publication, available here on Issuu, is designed to be accessible and actionable, providing valuable insights and resources to anyone involved in residential development. Whether you’re an architect, designer, planner, or simply someone invested in the future of affordable housing, Creating Homes, Not Housing is a valuable resource. Jon James Studio Architecture invites feedback and insights from others in the field to continue pushing the boundaries of what affordable housing can be.
For more information or to connect directly with Jon James Studio Architecture, visit their website or reach out to them directly. They welcome all dialogue that seeks to elevate the quality and integrity of affordable housing in the UK and beyond.
