Opinion Our exhibition will raise questions about architects' ability to design decent homes

摘要

The intention of our exhibition, opening next week at the RIBA, is to look at housing design that actively contributes to the creation of good cities, streets, and living standards. It stands in counterpoint to the huge Des Res exhibition at the Building Centre (which runs until 14 June), which showcases the enormous amount of dense, commercial housing being developed in London. We invited 14 practices to participate, including the two co-curators: Matthew Lloyd Architects and mas. Each firm was chosen with reference to a scheme that shows a serious, moderate and enduring approach to housing design. The choice of firms is eclectic - some established, some new. In each case their architecture is recognisably their own. To show why the exhibition is necessary we must confirm the situation as it stands. Compared with 10 years ago, when there was a dearth of housing development, today we are in a housing boom - the sheer scale of Des Res demonstrates this. Driven by demand, our cities, particularly London, are undergoing rapid change through the creation of large housing projects. Unlike in the 1960s and 70s, however, there are now innumerable architectural styles and few constraints for either height and density. Little work appears to be concerned primarily with urban improvement. Architects are in a hurry to ride the development train.