A UK Housing Expo.

Housing Expos have a distinguished pedigree. The Weissenhof Seidlung was constructed in Stuttgart in 1927 with innovative designs by Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, Gropius, Hans Scharoun and Peter Behrens. It was a turning point in the development of the Modern Movement and represented the social, aesthetic and technological changes that followed the end of World War I.
 

The International Building Exhibition Berlin (IBA Berlin 1979-1987) explored methods of "careful urban renewal" and "critical reconstruction." International architects including Eisenman, Gregotti, Hertzberger, Hollein and Stirling contributed to what Time magazine called "the most ambitious showcase of world architecture in this generation".
 
As part of Glasgow City of Architecture and Design 1999 Deyan Sudjic, now director of the Design Museum, organised Homes for the Future, intended as an innovative model for urban living and a lasting legacy of the year-long festival. Masterplanned by Page & Park Architects, it included buildings by RMJM, Ian Ritchie, Elder & Cannon, Ushida Findlay, and Rick Mather.
 
At the turn of the century the Swedish city of Malmo organised Bo01- “City of Tomorrow" in 2001, designed to be an exemplar of sustainable development. Master planner Klas Tham envisioned a network of streets with a varied character - although the most notable building built for Bo01 was Calatrava’s Turning Torso tower, Scandinavia’s tallest building.
 
When NLA held it’s ‘Big Debate’ on the new London Plan in January this year Ben Derbyshire, now the President of RIBA, suggested that London needed an expo to investigate how we can deliver ‘desirable density’ as part of the Mayor’s strategy for ‘good growth’. The response from many people in the industry was so positive that Ben and I agreed to pursue the idea. We got Deyan Sudjic on board because he’d done one before and because of his encyclopaedic knowledge of design and designers.
 
At various times in our history we Brits have been leaders in thinking about housing - from Georgian terraces to garden cities to the low rise high density housing of Camden in the 70s. We think the UK can reclaim its international pre-eminence by mounting a Housing Expo and make a significant impact during Sadiq Khan’s term as Mayor. 
 
The plans are still evolving but our proposal currently envisages three phases.
 
First, a website or app which will identify past and current examples of exceptional housing. This will act as a guide for Londoners and visitors.
 
Second, an international competition which will match internationally recognised designers with developers in order to stimulate innovation and introduce new cultural and social influences alongside high quality design and technical innovation. A major exhibition will feature the competition entries in BIM format so that they can be experienced by the general public in virtual reality. This would be linked to exhibitions of modern methods of construction and latest technologies for housing delivery.
 
Third, the main Expo site will deliver a mixed use neighbourhood with a number of streets, blocks and spaces and a variety of typologies and explore how ‘desirable density’ can enhance place-making, increase social and economic interaction and act as a driver of affordability.
 
City Hall is supporting the project and we are approaching the Mayors and Leaders of other UK cities to see if they are interested in delivering similar programmes to make it a truly national event with international impact.
  
We hope that the Expo will create more a more positive perception of new development; it will provide opportunities for the public and professionals to study and experience the benefits of denser urban design. We want it to be a collaborative event, so anyone wanting to be involved please get in touch.