This blog was first published on the MODA website in 2022. Hendon has a fascinating range of housing types which reveal much about social, design and architectural history in just a few streets. Far from being a sleepy suburb, Hendon is a place of rapid change: one house (with a plaque) has now been demolished [...]
As 2023 draws to a close and with so much bad news around housing, I am trying to finish on a positive note. In this post I have drawn together several pieces I have written for the wonderful Municipal Dreams blog https://municipaldreams.wordpress.com which celebrates the fundamental achievements in council housing and the commitment of so [...]
It’s easy to use the term ‘housing crisis’ glibly. It’s less easy to understand what is feels like for those who most acutely suffer some of its consequences. One of these consequences has been the conversion of office buildings into living accommodation. Imagine this: an area of offices, commercial not residential; perhaps out of town; [...]
Following the tragic and preventable death of a Awaab Ishak, there has understandably been much interest in damp and mould in the home environment and what can be done about it. In November 2022 HM Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley found that: “Awaab Ishak died as a result of a severe respiratory condition caused due to [...]
I am really pleased to host Josh Knowles' post this month including the lovely artwork he created during a recent creative histories session (details below). I think the arts define the history of housing and buildings. The art (and therefore) cultural ideas of a place are the lens through which we build and define the [...]
Guest post from Dr Surindar Dhesi @Surin75 I am delighted to brief post linking to a new publication from my dear friend and colleague Surindar. She has been an inspiration in her international work around health and the environment and as most recently worked on how we can teach diverse ways of knowing. As part of a [...]
I am delighted to share this guest post on the wonderful, creative work from Professor Monica Lakhanpaul of the CHAMPIONS Project. Here, she shares her thoughts and experience of using creative arts in research and for influencing policymaking. Using creative arts to hear children’s experiences By Professor Monica Lakhanpaul on behalf of the CHAMPIONS Project [...]
I've long been interested in the development of Garden Cities and #HouseHistoryHour (28 April 2022) offered the opportunity to share some of this information, now available as Moments and forming the basis of this blog. The Garden Cities movement was a response to poor housing in polluted cities and created healthier living environments. The movement [...]
Following my last post on Flats! I joined #househistoryhour to present a session called A Brief History of Flats. It was during this that @EllenCLeslie flagged up some other flats: the Albert Hall Mansions; although I knew the area, I did not appreciate their historical significance as part of how we would live looking forward. [...]
Happy new year to everyone. This post has in fact been in the making for years – further delayed by Covid-related workload – as I have tried to collect my thoughts and fill in gaps and it can still only scratch the surface of understanding something about the history of flats. Some flats and indeed [...]
