We are looking for local volunteers to join our resident design group. You will work with our architects from August to design our first new homes.
Our project to build some community-owned homes on The Lawns is progressing, and we are beginning the work to design the homes and develop our planning application.
As part of this, we are looking to form a Resident Design Group, which will work with us to shape the outcome of the project. It will be a chance to learn about the process of developing homes and the land around them, but more importantly to have a real influence over what we build from the very start of the design process.
If you live on or close to The Lawns street, we are especially interested in hearing from you.
What will it involve?
We are looking to form a group of 8-12 people who live or work in the local area.
You don’t need any expertise, experience or qualifications to take part. We want a real mix of “normal” local people for the architects to respond to.
We’d like you to commit to four or five workshops from August to the end of the year. Each workshop may last around 3 hours.
- Saturday 8th August 10am-12: An introductory session where we can get to know each other and the project, discuss initial queries and hopes, and learn the basics of housing development.
- Saturday 22nd August: The first session with our architects to discuss big questions like culture, community, affordability and the environment, as well as practical considerations like parking, green space and views. These will form the brief the architects then follow.
- These dates will be followed up with two or three more sessions over the Autumn and Winter, going into more detail and responding to the architects’ development of the scheme.
- When we have something to share we will run an open consultation process with the wider community, and residents will also have an opportunity to make their views known through the planning process.
Final decisions about the design and the affordability policy for the homes will be made by our elected Board, in line with our aim to make them eco and as affordable as possible.
Due to Coronavirus we are trying to organise the first two as online meetings, which people can phone in to if they do not have internet or computer access.
We are actively seeking a group that is reflective of the local demographics and to involve people who struggle to afford housing in Crystal Palace.
Apply to join the Resident Design Group
To apply, please fill out this form. We need your contact details, and want to know a little more about you so we can select a group that is fairly representative of the local area.
If you are interested but have concerns about getting involved, please get in touch.