The Studio 3 ethos brought sustainability and renewable design to the heart of the project. These philosophies are utilised in conjunction with the exploration of passive energy systems and their potential architectural merit to achieve a low-rise, high density, (near) zero demolition, off-grid cohousing community situated within the former People’s College.

Making prevalent use of rural principles; this scheme aims to create a sense of autonomy and self-sufficiency through urban growing and community engagement, both creating a sense of identification and inhabitation within an urban context. An economic approach is adopted with prioritising utilisation of the existing structure, readily available materials and maximising passive energy through a passive stack, double skin facade and winter gardens. As a cohousing project emphasising in communal engagement, residents are positioned within clusters allowing for visual and social engagement within double height communal spaces and individual apartments are distinctly inhabited internally with additional balcony or winter garden space.