Bristol is to become a global ‘living exhibition’ for innovation in housing as a new festival gets under way and the mayors of more than 80 cities worldwide arrive for a major conference.
The Bristol Housing Festival, which kicked off today in Waterfront Square near Millennium Square, brings together manufacturers, designers and tech innovators to explore answers to the housing crisis.
The exhibition, which is open until November 4, was opened by Kevin McCloud, presenter of Channel 4’s Grand Designs and chairman of Bristol-based alternative housebuilder HAB.
The exhibition has drawn support from a wide range of sponsors and supporters from the Bristol business community including ethical bank Triodos, which has its UK headquarters in the city, and national law firm Bevan Brittan.
Architects from international firm BDP’s Bristol studio will launching the concept design of their innovative Gap Homes – factory-constructed, contemporary and cost-effective eco-homes designed to fit into small urban spaces, such as garage plots – at the exhibition.
The exhibition has been opened today to coincide with the arrival of the first of the 80-plus mayors from cities across the world who are gathering in Bristol for the Global Parliament of Mayors (GPM).
Mayors from a range of countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the US have registered to attend the summit, where they will debate and agree actions to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The summit will focus on three main topics – migration, urban security and public health, which will look specifically at preparing cities for pandemics. Fringe events will cover wider topics such as housing, transport, clean energy and innovation with technology.
Mayors attending include Mayor Steven K Benjamin from Carolina, USA, who is also chair of the US Conference of Mayors, and Patricia De Lille, Mayor of Cape Town and current chair of Global Parliament of Mayors will also be taking part in the debates.
The Hague (the Netherlands), Nice (France), Kingston (Jamaica), Ahmedabad (India), Hoima (Uganda), Freetown (Sierra Leone) and Kandahar (Afghanistan) are also sending their mayors.
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said every city in the world faced a housing crisis and looking at ways of dealing with issues such as affordability, social housing provision and homelessness were universal themes for mayors, including those attending the GPM.
He added: “The festival is about turning the city into a living exhibition of the latest and most innovative approaches to housing and finding the best ways of tackling our housing crisis.
“We want innovators to come forward with creative solutions. It’s not just about homes, but about communities too and solving wider social challenges such as social isolation and mental health issues through housing.”
Festival project director Jez Sweetland added: “We are hugely excited about our line-up of wonderfully creative exhibitors – the festival is all about exploring innovative solutions to the UK’s housing crisis. Experimentation and exploration are fundamental values for the Festival which will run over the next five years.”
BDP said that Bristol alone has 2,000 garages on 300 different council housing estates, which using its new concept, could be transformed into new homes and neighbourhoods. Its new Gap Home prototype, pictured below, is designed specifically for small plots of land in towns and cities.
Using the latest digital engineering techniques, the homes will be made in hi-tech factory conditions and assembled on site up to 40% faster than traditional construction, helping people move into their new homes sooner.
Smart designs make the best possible use of space, the homes incorporate maximum light and height and sophisticated design and storage solutions to give a sense of space, along with low energy services for modern living.
The homes’ layouts and windows have been carefully considered to avoid overlooking and protect privacy in order to slot in to existing neighbourhoods and communities.
Sustainability is at the heart of the eco Gap Home approach. By building on existing brownfield land, it helps contain city development, creating much-needed new homes designed specifically for urban living and reducing the need to encroach on greenbelt land.
The factory conditions used for the homes’ construction minimises on-site waste by up to 75% and uses materials that mean the final building has minimal energy requirements for heating, low energy lighting and renewable energy provision through solar panels on the roof, making them low carbon and low in running costs.
The standardised elements and factory production also allow the homes to be produced at volume, keeping prices down whilst helping to meet high demand. A palette of materials and designs will be available allowing people to customise their own homes, including internal finishes, kitchens and bathrooms.
The size of garage plots and other small urban spaces means the homes will have a compact footprint. Whilst meeting national space standards they will be an affordable option for first time buyers and those looking to downsize in later life.
BDP Bristol studio director Nick Fairham said: “We are in dire need of new homes for a new generation. BDP’s eco Gap Homes will be quickly constructed, cost effective, sustainable and, most important of all, stylish, comfortable and practical to live in.
“Disused garage plots on existing housing estates are an ideal location for these homes. Many of them have fallen into disrepair, becoming a magnet for everything from fly tipping to anti-social behaviour. Putting new, attractive and carefully designed houses in their place will not only help deliver much-need new homes, it will also bring new energy and life into these areas, revitalising neighbourhoods and helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.
“We are delighted to be sponsoring the Bristol Housing Festival, which shares our passion for creative solutions to the housing crisis and effective place-making and urban design. This is another exciting example of Bristol both leading debate and living by example.”
Festival project director Jez Sweetland added: “We love BDP’s hugely creative yet completely practical eco Gap Home idea and are thrilled to have it on show at the Bristol Housing Festival launch exhibition.
“It’s exactly these ideas, innovations and conversations that we are looking to explore through the festival over the next five years, finding new ways of solving the UK’s housing crisis and creating attractive and effective communities.”
