Home of 2030 finalists announced

On 23rd August 2020 the government announced the 6 finalists of the Home of 2030 design competition. The Housing LIN's Jeremy Porteus was privileged to be one of the judges which will see further advances in low-carbon, age-friendly homes for our future living, from small scale innovations to large scale developments utilising modern methods of construction.

The 6 finalists and their designs are:

• changebuilding with Perpendicular Architecture, Humblebee, ECOSystems Technologies and Arup: Homes that seek to reduce carbon emissions and social interaction, including through food grown in communal spaces and areas such as ponds to promote biodiversity.
• HLM Architects with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and Green Build: Homes built using interchangeable parts with other homes, creating a circular economy in which little is wasted.
• Igloo Regeneration with Useful Projects, Expedition Engineers and Mawson Kerr Architects: Homes with simple frame structures and standardised components set amidst walkable, vibrant neighbourhoods.
• Openstudio Architects Ltd: Three building elements (a standardised housing module, an open ‘Loft’ and a circulation, storage and shared module) are used in combination with 3 landscape elements (communal green space, small private gardens or upper level balconies and terraces, and front gardens) to create combinations of sustainable, age-friendly spaces.
• Outpost Architects and team: Janus, a home constructed from 98% organic biomass material (primarily timber and straw).
• Studio OPEN: Promoting community and caring for others through a central garden shared between 4 homes that are built with locally sourced materials and timber construction methods to reduce environmental impact.

In terms of next steps, as announced by Housing Minister Christopher Pincher MP,  each of the finalists have received funding to help them develop more detailed plans. Thereafter, a winner will be chosen this autumn to build a series of homes on Homes England land.

Housing LIN chief executive and co-author of RIBA's age-friendly housing guide and HAPPI champion, said.

"Over the last 10 years we have seen how some in the building industry have adopted the HAPPI design principles and become leaders in their field. But with a considerable under-supply of new housing, aligned with climate change and our ageing population, I now want to see these principles mainstreamed so that within 10 years they are the norm for all new buildings. I am therefore really excited about how this competition can be a catalyst for change for our housing market."