\n<\/p>\n
Williamson told the BBC that until he went to study architecture he lived in a council estate in the East Midlands, “and every time I go back there all the council houses have been sold off, they’re in private hands. <\/p>\n
“Which in a way can be a good thing – we’re in a homeowning democracy – but the sad thing is they haven’t been replaced. <\/p>\n
“Every time I go back – without getting too emotional – I think ‘where would we have lived?’ <\/p>\n
“So to me that’s why this particular project was important. I think a lot of people from that sort of background live in terrible accommodaiton – temporary accommodation which isn’t safe or secure. <\/p>\n
“These houses are fantastic and they’re part of a mixed scheme so it’s got a fantastic feel to it. <\/p>\n
“For me it was a very inspirational, emotional, part of the process.”<\/p>\n
Duggan, who was brought up in south-west London, said the scheme “challenged conventional suburban housing layouts centred on roads, private gardens and clearly defined front and back spaces”.<\/p>\n
Winding paths and planting weave between the blocks, connecting them and linking shared outdoor spaces.<\/p>\n
She said she wanted it to be a public space people felt they could belong to.<\/p>\n
“Housing needs to be progressive. People who live in the building have access to green space, allotments.”<\/p>\n
The site fronts onto Lion Green Road, with low-rise green belt housing set on higher ground to the south and traditional suburban streets to the north.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n