What is this project about?

Down to Earth are excited to be working with funder Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for the first time on a new project: Building Community. This project aims to work with a wide range of communities to use DTE’s experience and expertise in person-centred design and construction to support the growing Community-led housing sector in Wales.

The two year project aims to identify the opportunities and challenges faced by Community groups developing affordable housing, particularly in excluded & disadvantaged groups, and explore how DTE can support them in achieving their vision.

Down to Earth specialises in designing and creating buildings with communities at the very centre: using “home grown timber”, natural materials and nature centred design. This evidence-based way of working has been applied across a range of large-scale schemes in public infrastructure.

The development of housing, whether renovating existing buildings or new-build, has become increasingly complex and difficult to navigate, and a helping hand is often needed for non-professionals to engage in the process.  

Putting communities at the centre of decision making about their own spaces, using nature-centred design, can have wide ranging positive impacts. We know from our work, that community-led development can benefit communities by: 

• Improving wellbeing and health outcomes 

• Improving knowledge & empowerment to make change  

• Strengthen community resilience, particularly in the face of climate change 

However, for community-led housing groups, getting from the initial idea to a viable proposal for a site is often the most challenging step, largely due to the lack of funding and significant time commitment required, and is where many amazing potential projects falter. DTE’s support will focus on helping groups navigate this crucial ‘crucible’ stage, to help transform an amazing idea, into a viable scheme which will attract support and funding.

This project will be delivered through project focused workshops, accredited training, ongoing advice & support and early-stage architectural design from our experienced in-house architecture team. We are very excited to be starting out on this project and working alongside a diverse range of community groups with innovative and unique ideas, to supercharge both the number and quality of affordable homes in Wales.

If you are a community group and would like to find out more about accessing this opportunity, please get in touch by email CLH@downtoearthproject.org.uk