Six examples of joyful social housing

We believe home is everything. Our homes shape how we live. The Institute of Health Equity, led by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, has shown that up to 45% of our health outcomes are shaped by where we live, work and move. 

We know that good quality and genuinely affordable social housing isn’t just healthier, but it helps people feel like they matter. The research commissioned and shared by Humanise has shown that making them interesting, distinctive and characterful homes helps people feel healthier, happier, and like they belong. It doesn’t have to cost a lot more, and the signs are that the benefits to health and social cohesion are more than worthwhile.

Even when there’s pressure to build a lot of new housing, we should be wary of over-emphasising volume, and speed. These aren’t just ‘accommodation units’. They’re homes which shape us – and the generations to come.

So, it’s a pleasure to highlight a handful of examples of genuinely ‘humanised’ social housing – interesting, characterful, reflective of their communities. Homes you’d feel proud to live in.

Lady Raval, Barcelona

A reinvigorated building in Barcelona’s historic and culturally diverse Raval district, these apartments were designed by MIAS Architects. By opening up courtyards and shared spaces, and incorporating tiles and graphic motifs which celebrate the cultural heritage of the community, they put the soul back into a humble building.

Images: Adria Goula

Farmstead Road, London

Textured brickwork, tiling and repeated arches nod to its Arts and Crafts style surroundings, while the metalwork brings pops of orange at this affordable housing development in south London. Situated on a 1920s cottage estate, the 24-home development was designed by local architects Metropolitan Workshop for the not-for-profit, resident-led association Phoenix Community Housing.

Images: Fred Haworth

Rue Jean-Bart, Paris

These social apartments are located in Paris’s pricey sixth arrondissement, and were designed by architect Jean-Christophe Quinton specifically not to look like social housing. Their smart limestone façade and scalloped frontage blend in with the buildings either side – and the shapes are repeated in the ironwork railings and stonework details at street level.

Images: Florent Michel

Goldsmith Street, Norwich

Norwich City Council held a competition to design 100 socially rented homes – and this combination of family-sized houses and flats was the winner. Designed by Mikhail Riches, Goldsmith Street was built to Passivhaus standards, making energy bills cheaper for residents. In addition the curved designs have lovely brick details, generous windows, and play-friendly streets and outside spaces.

Images: Tim Crocker

Z53, Mexico City

Built in a part of Mexico City with a high demand for social and affordable public housing, this 42-home development designed by Michan Architecture is warm and distinctive. It’s simple shape and structure are uplifted by the red mud artisanal brick, laid in varied depths to create wave-like shapes and shadows across the walls – proving that you don’t need expensive materials to make an impact.

Images: Rafael Gamo

Kidbrooke Park Road, London

Even big developments can be joyful (and net zero). Kidbrooke Park Road in south London is set to become the largest new council housing development in England, ultimately comprising more than 440 family homes. Designed by HTA for Greenwich Council and Greenwich Builds, there’s a mix of styles to keep things feeling varied. Warm brick unites the different buildings, and connects with the style of older housing in the area. There’s a nursery, community centre and gardens for residents too.

Images: HTA