Hedge House, London by White Arkitekter

White Arkitekter, a Swedish-based company has proposed the concept of Ribbon Housing. This is narrow housing that wraps around existing and affordable London estates 'like a hedge' and removes the need for demolishing and rebuilding. The idea is sustainable, low cost, and quick making it attractive to busy locations with limited space, such as London. 

The housing will feature duplex apartments with an open space on the ground floor for businesses such as cafes and shops to set up, 'to activate the street'. The narrow shape of the design invites light into every room and the greenery embedded in the semi-transparent facade creates a better connection to the people and nature. The practice found the UK's green spaces were run down and underused, creating a piece of land with no meaning, which is something they aimed to change in their design. White Arkitekter used woods and soft materials to create a natural and warm feeling within the houses. The architects also ensured each home has a private in-house balcony and private roof terraces for families with young children.

The design is a prefabricated modular system. This means it is lightweight, quick to construct, fast and low cost. The practice's goal is to inspire the UK to stop demolishing affordable housing and replacing it with expensive, private housing. Their research found that Haygate Estates removed 1,000 socially rented homes in Elephant and Castle, and replaced them with 2,000 private homes and 82 socially rented homes. The existing tenants have to move out and find a new place to live so they can be replaced by unaffordable homes to rent and sell. 

Therefore, White Arkitekter proposed building more housing sustainably and affordably through Ribbon Housing. The project also led them to win the BB Green Award in London. 

https://www.dezeen.com/2019/03/22/hedge-house-london-white-arkitekter/