The panel featured Linda Thiel (White Arkitekter), Kevin Logan (Maccreanor Lavington), Russ Edwards (Latimer by Clarion Housing Group), and Selasi Setufe (GLA & Black Females in Architecture), with Phineas Harper (Design Council Homes Taskforce) as chair.
Thought-provoking questions shaped the evening’s discussion: who are these homes for, and how can we ensure they contribute to resilient cities? The conversation emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to housing, highlighting the importance of balancing market readiness, inclusivity, and sustainability. It also underscored the value of engaging all stakeholders, including future generations, to create housing that supports both social and environmental well-being.
Insights from past successes, such as Sweden’s coordinated housing developments in the 1960s and 70s, highlighted the value of public investment and long-term infrastructure planning. Additionally, examples from Sweden and the Netherlands raised the question: what can the UK learn from their planning policies and contract requirements to control land speculation and prioritise build quality?