Adjustable Housing: a transdisciplinary approach to delivering social, environmental and economically sustainable homes

Adjustable Housing is a transdisciplinary approach to the delivery of socially, environmentally and economically sustainable homes. It aims to help people on the edges of owner occupation adapt to changes in their housing needs, without expecting them to buy more space than they need or move house when their needs change. It is built on a desire to help make what has come to be known as co-housing more accessible and mainstream. The applicant's practice-based PhD has given rise to a series of recommendations for the implementation of Adjustable Housing that will be operationalised through this project. The applicant is a partner at Cullinan Studio - a leading UK architecture practice - and will be seconded to the University of Reading's School of the Built Environment for three years. Both Cullinan Studio and the applicant have a strong existing research relationship with the School. The proposed outputs will include a guide for implementing Adjustable Housing, written for an industry audience, and a monograph of Adjustable Housing case studies, written and illustrated for a lay audience. At a time when the government in England is rewriting its planning system, such fresh viewpoints on 'housing need' are urgently required.