Building Socialist Architecture — with Architects for Social Housing

There’s no denying that we are currently in a housing crisis. Regardless of whether you are a homeowner or a renter, the housing market is in a constant state of flux, making it difficult for people to find adequate and affordable housing for themselves. In this episode, we talk to Architects for Social Housing about housing and a potential solution: socialist architecture. Architects for Social Housing co-founders Geraldine Dening and Simon Elmer join host Am Johal to discuss the pillars of socialist architecture, housing as human rights, and why this is the way forward out of our housing situation. Between mid-July and mid-August, Architects for Social Housing hosted four public workshops at Pollyanna Library and drafted a manuscript for a forthcoming publication. You can learn more about Architects for Social Housing and the work they do at https://architectsforsocialhousing.co.uk/. As well, you can check out the current research they are doing as part of their fellowship with 221A by going to https://221a.ca/fellows. Full episode details: https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/episodes/24-architects-for-social-housing.html Read the transcript: https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/transcripts/24-architects-for-social-housing.html Bio: Architects for Social Housing (ASH) is a Community Interest Company from London, England, that organizes working collectives for individual projects. Their unifying principle is that refurbishing and increasing the housing capacity on London’s council estates, rather than demolishing and redeveloping them as properties for market sale, is a more sustainable solution to the housing needs of London’s communities. The founding members are Geraldine Dening and Simon Elmer. Between mid-July and mid-August 2019, Architects for Social Housing hosted four public workshops at Pollyanna Library and drafted a manuscript for a forthcoming publication as part of a research fellowship with 221A. Cite this episode: Chicago style Johal, Am. “Building Socialist Architecture — with Architects for Social Housing” Below the Radar, SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement. Podcast audio, July 3, 2019. https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/episodes/24-architects-for-social-housing.html