RCKa lands housing project via public vote

RCKa has been selected to work up proposals for a new Community Land Trust scheme in south London after a public vote.

The practice took part in a “choose the architect” event for the Lambeth CLT Steering Group at the weekend, vying with Mole Architects, 15-40 Architecture and Reed Watts Architects for the project, earmarked for a former Transport for London site in Streatham.

RCKa will now work with the local community and London CLT members in Lambeth to take forward the scheme, which is expected to deliver around 27 “permanently and genuinely affordable” homes on a plot at the junction of Christchurch Road and Streatham Hill.

The land was set aside last year by London Mayor Sadiq Khan for community-led housing, following a campaign by the local community alliance Lambeth Citizens.

RCKa founding director Tim Riley said supporting community-centred design had been a major driver for the creation of the practice 10 years ago.

“The chance to work with London CLT on such an inclusive project is particularly exciting,” he said.

“We wholly enjoyed meeting members of the Christchurch Road community on Saturday to listen to their views and ambitions for the site and are delighted to be their selected architect, chosen by community ballot from a shortlist of exceptional architects.

“We look forward to meeting more of the community over the coming months and designing genuinely affordable, beautiful homes together.”

Louise Erasia, co-chair of the Lambeth CLT Steering Group, said the event had been “a lovely way” for the community to work together collaboratively to choose an architect for the project.

“We are all excited to work with RCKa and look forward to them being part of London CLT’s goals: bringing affordable homes to Lambeth residents, now and for generations to come,” she said.

The group said it expected that a planning application for the project would be submitted by the end of the year.