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House Block, Clapton

19 April - 16 May 2021

AUAR Labs, The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL

House Block asks what our environment could look like if our homes were not static structures, but could evolve over time; what if there was no set design, but an ecology of elements that constantly reorganise through automation? Could we consider a future that democratises access to building systems, one that alleviates the housing crisis and supports more equitable labour practices threatened by ever increasing automation?

House Block is designed and built using a discrete housing system — a kit of parts (analogous to lego), known as Block Type A. Each block is milled from a single sheet of plywood using CNC machines and assembled by hand, then post-tensioned. These are considered to be ‘discrete’ because the blocks are not fixed, instead offering the opportunity to be assembled, dismantled, reconfigured and reassembled over and over again.  

Located on the site of a former playground in Clapton, this two-storey prototype demonstrates what could be achieved if we were to think about participatory approaches to housing, where local communities make use of digital modes of production. Four takeovers  provide live demonstrations of this potential, as the blocks morph over time into configurations that support different needs, provocations and conversations.

A public programme runs in collaboration with our project partners from 19 April — 16 May 2021. The events cover talks, tours, performances and installations bringing new perspectives to issues around local housing needs, applications of technology and governance — that move between near-future solutions and more speculative visions. You can find out more information and sign-up here: https://automatedarchitecture.io/hackney

House Block is delivered in partnership with Hackney Council as a part of an exploration of digital approaches to community-led developments. It is supported by UCL Trellis: Community Partnership Building Events, EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account Follow-On Funding, UCL East Community Engagement Seed Fund, UCL Innovation & Enterprise HEIF Funding.  

AUAR