Neoliberalism caused the decline of social housing and the rise of pseudo-public spaces. The proposal raises public reacquisition of land combined with permanent housing, community gardens and kitchen to combat homelessness.
Argent, the developer of King’s Cross has broken their contractual agreement by massively reducing the Triangle Site’s affordable housing scheme - up to 80% from its original numbers.
The problem with the dysfunctional British housing market today is due to the privatisation of land. Local authorities should acquire land back for housing like the Singaporean government.
The Triangle Site at King's Cross is a suitable test ground for the project for its central location and the potential to have a nice and affordable house.
King’s Cross is an example of pseudo-public space. Due to the private nature of these spaces, rough sleepers are forced out of the highly gentrified areas to the peripheries of the train stations.
The community garden aims to reclaim participation back into the public sphere by actively involving the communities from King’s Cross and Caledonian ward.
The community kitchen serves as a skill upgrade project to lift the economic and social capital of the formerly homeless residents, reintegrating them back into society.
The communal terrace on the first floor is a semi-public garden where residents could have barbecues and do gardening activities.
Inspired by Alexandra Road Estate, the housing scheme proposes split level housing units with stepped balconies and lush gardens with a glasshouse.
Saxon Court just opposite the site has the worst layouts in King’s Cross. My proposal will instead provide 40% more than the current housing standards.
