Brixton Project...

Angell Eco Self Build (AESB) is a self build group that carried out a ten house build in
partnership with Lambeth Council, Presentation Housing  Association, Lambeth Council, Higgins Construction and Mode 1 Architects, and with support and advised from Community Self Build Agency. The houses are situated in South London on Angell Town in Brixton.

The group consisted of ten households with between three to six people per family and a total of twenty five children. All of these households were in housing need and are overcrowded, and 94% of the adults on the scheme were from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.

The self build project on Angell Town was part of a whole regeneration programme taking place in the area to improve and enhance the living conditions and community of the local people. The project aimed to help local people in the borough of Lambeth improve their local neighbourhood, manage their own activities and empower them so that they had the opportunity to be fully involved in the design and construction of their houses.
         
The self build project was the final phase of a regeneration programme which was taking place in the area. It completed the local authorities remit and ensured that they met the conditions set out in their regeneration masterplan. The building of these homes also provided affordable housing with an eco-friendly construction, two things which are high on the current government’s agenda. It created a sustainable community of highly motivated people (self help against dependency), promoted personal and social capacity by education and training in building and other practical skills, as well as teamwork. 

This creative and innovative scheme began building in April 2005 with the foundations, shell and 1st fix work carried out by Higgins. The self builders then followed on site in February 2006 to carry out the 2nd fix work of carpentry, decorating, carpentry, kitchen fitting and tiling and completed in December 2006 just in time for Christmas.