housing

An area of specialism for our practice are housing projects.

Our aim with these projects is to create community, enhance the natural environment, and serve people of all ages and abilities. Such projects encompass cohousing, community-led housing and other innovative forms of developing multiple homes.

We work through co-design processes that empower and enable everyone to have an affordable, sustainable, beautiful home that meets their needs now and in the future.

cohousing

We believe strongly in the approach of cohousing as a more effective, enjoyable, and environmentally sustainable way to live.

The practice was founded on the basis of designing Bridport Cohousing in 2014. Since then, we have been lucky enough to work with an amazing range of inspirational groups. They are seeking to design and develop homes for themselves that enable mutually supportive, interdependent, multi-generational living. We think cohousing could be applicable to many more people who are searching for a better way to live, who dream of a self-build project, but don’t want to do so alone.

Aerial view of Bridport Cohousing

We are working with our clients and a team of specialist consultants on this scheme for a small eco-community within Bristol’s green belt.

We worked with a cohousing group to provide affordable, sustainable new homes in a cohousing development.

We are working with Bridge Farm Cohousing to develop a design for their low impact intentional community.

Bridport Cohousing is a project for 34 new dwellings on a site in the parish of North Allington.

We are working with Island Cohousing to help the group to address an affordability gap in the Isle of Wight.

Scheme incorporating a new detached family home for the client, alongside a terrace of 2 and 3 bedroom houses.

In June 2023 Barefoot Architects was shortlisted for our submission for the Novers Hill design competition.

This exemplar scheme provides a beacon of hope in increasingly challenging times.

community led housing

In the midst of a national housing crisis we need innovation more than ever before.

Bottom up approaches to housing development of the type that people want, in the places they want it, and delivered with, and by, communities is essential. Community-led housing is a crucial part of this. We are proud to have supported a range of community land trusts, cohousing groups, neighbourhood development trusts and housing association partners. Community-Led Housing projects provide homes that are more affordable, more sustainable, and more neighbourly.

Community housing design visualisation

We worked with Ambition Lawrence Weston & local residents to co-design 40 new affordable homes.

A new family home adjacent to the client's parents house.

We were approached by our clients to design new housing on land to the rear of their property in a suburb of Bristol.

This project is a great example of opportunities for multi tenure housing provision on a single greenfield site.

Working in partnership with Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust and Bristol City Council we have been assisting them to design 19 Community Led Homes.

innovative housing

Why settle for normal, when you could have special? Starting with the right values adds something special to a housing development.

We always seek to explore the brief, push the boundaries, test the planning envelope with skill and efficiency. Working with a range of developer partners we have been able to secure planning successfully, and develop creative, cost-effective approaches to the construction of homes with a little something extra. Each of these projects demonstrates how we can have a positive impact on people’s lives, enhance the community, and ultimately, make a difference and not just a profit.

Apartments for adults with a range of physical and learning difficulties, working with Specialised Supported Housing.

This development includes 9 flats and courtyards on 2 upper floors, and a ground floor retail space.

Scheme for a new detached family home for the client, alongside a terrace of 2 and 3 bedroom houses.