I’m happy to share that I’ve recently started working with the Oxfordshire Community Land Trust (OCLT), an inspiring organisation collaborating with researchers from Oxford Brookes University and the University of Oxford. OCLT focuses on developing and building affordable and social housing in Oxfordshire with a strong commitment to sustainability and renewable practices. Our current project is a small but innovative proof-of-concept build—a 5×5 metre prototype designed to help us explore and refine regenerative and highly participatory approaches to housing development. This initiative allows us to learn, adapt, and refine, while developing partnerships with local material providers to reduce travel distances, support local producers, and build a stronger, greener community.
As part of this journey, we’re working closely with researchers, architects, engineers, and community members. Their expertise is invaluable in testing materials, gathering feedback, and evaluating the process from multiple perspectives. My role includes leading a thorough process evaluation, capturing the experiences and insights of everyone involved—service users, providers, and material producers alike. This collaborative approach will not only shape our future projects but also serve as a guiding framework for other developers interested in adopting more regenerative and collaborative building practices. We hope to inspire others to consider this model, both in Oxfordshire and beyond, and to foster dialogue about the potential of locally sourced, renewable materials.
Moving forward, we’re planning to organize training sessions for a small community of renewable building enthusiasts, including architecture undergraduates and those in need of affordable housing, eager to explore self-build techniques. These sessions will emphasise the use of local and sustainable materials while creating vital connections between rural providers and urban developers. We’re keen to hear from anyone with an interest in renewable provision of affordable housing, local material providers interested in working together, communities in Oxfordshire interested in renewable and potentially self-build accommodation, and researchers interested in healthy and sustainable place-making.