Homebaked Method
Liverpool
Services
- Community Consultation
- Architecture
- Interiors
- Training of Young People in Construction Industry
Team
- Client: Homebaked Community Land Trust
- Cost: KAR Consulting
- Structures: SWH Design Services
Area
- Refurbishment: X sqm
- New Build: X sqm
Cost
- Refurbishment: £100,000
- New Build: £2,500,000
Project Overview
The brief was developed by the community bakery following guidance from the city council requesting a 3 to 5 storey block of residential and commercial uses to reinvigorate the high street. AE were appointed to work with the local community to develop design proposals through a series of truly collaborative workshops.
We realised early on that we were working with a community that was very engaged but also enraged that they hadn’t been listened to for previous development plans within the Anfield area. It was important to ensure all voices (loud and quiet) were heard so we carried out ice breaker activities allowing everyone to speak from the outset. We undertook the ice breaker tasks to ensure there was no hierarchy and we got to know one another on a personal level. Food was also an important component of the workshops.
In the first session, we took over a publicly accessible wall in the bakery and created a ‘favourites wall’. We produced a series of polaroid images to describe the different components of this building type and pegged them in order of preference, with comments added with post it notes applied adjacent. We placed images following discussion and this helped to gauge opinion on subjects such as form, access, materiality and outdoor space. This fed into the brief development together with a series of precedent visits to discuss likes and dislikes in the city.
Following this we developed options that explored different ways to meet the brief. Each option was discussed and placed on the favourites wall with commentary. This iterative process lasted for 5 further workshops with proposals refined and developed to ensure all were happy with the outcome. We looked at layouts, massing, elevation treatment options and finally materiality and details in the sessions. Each time proposals were developed following feedback from the previous sessions.
We realised during the process that people responded better to physical models and precedent imagery to describe the different options. A group of local residents remained engaged in the process and attended all sessions. They came on the design journey, learned new skills, were listened to and genuinely contributed to the design of an innovative scheme that represented their requirements. A book was created by AE to record the process.
Unfortunately Homebaked were unable to raise the funds to deliver the ambitious scheme for 26 new homes and retail space, but they did raise money to convert the disused space above the bakery into an apartment for young people. Local apprentices were employed and taken through the design and construction process to develop their skills and provide useful insight into the construction industry. They took part in all design and delivery meetings and continued as labourers, building the bespoke furniture in the scheme.
