CAMPAIGNS

ARCHITECTS AWARE! TALK TO US….

Architects Aware serves as a catalyst for knowledge-sharing and community connection, championing a collective approach to addressing housing challenges. As campaigners, we bridge gaps by sharing insights, resources, and expertise with policymakers, designers, and advocates alike. Through collaborative research, open dialogue, and educational initiatives, we connect people and ideas, empowering communities and stakeholders to take meaningful steps toward inclusive, purpose-driven housing solutions. Our mission is not only to advocate but to create a network of shared understanding that drives impactful change.

HIDDEN HOMELESS COMPETITION - 2017

Led by Heather, the Hidden Homeless Competition aimed to address the pressing issue of hidden homelessness in the UK. Through this competition, a diverse group of designers, policymakers, advocates, and community leaders came together, and from this shared mission, Architects Aware was formed. The initiative revealed that deeper thought and sustained effort were essential to tackle the complex and systemic issues behind housing insecurity.

Participants were encouraged to move beyond traditional housing solutions, employing systems-based thinking, community engagement, and human-centered design to reimagine spaces for those living in precarious, temporary, or overcrowded conditions. The Hidden Homeless Competition ignited crucial dialogue and laid the foundation for Architects Aware’s continued mission: driving a fundamental, society-wide shift in understanding and addressing the hidden aspects of homelessness.

ERADICATING HOMELESSNESS LSA MODULE - 2021

As part of Architects Aware’s commitment to addressing housing insecurity, a studio led by our founder at the London School of Architecture explored the pressing challenge of eradicating homelessness. This innovative studio invited students and professionals to rethink conventional approaches to housing, focusing on systemic changes and inclusive design solutions that can create lasting impact. By combining research, real-world insights, and human-centered design, the studio fostered critical dialogue and actionable strategies, underscoring our belief that architecture can play a transformative role in building a future without homelessness.

WE ARE NOT BAD KIDS

The number of young people recorded sleeping rough has increased by 50% from April to June 2020.

Currently there is no guidance for the design of emergency accommodation for young homeless people. Heather Macey, Miranda MacLaren and Polina Pencheva, spearheaded a campaign calling on local authorities to urgently address this neglected policy area. 

This RIBA backed campaign has launched the ‘We are not bad kids’ film, which highlights the plight of young homeless people, and seeks to raise the bar in emergency accommodation for young people. The campaign has been launched at a time when youth homelessness has increased rapidly due to Covid-19 and many rough sleepers return to the streets as short-term housing initiatives formed during the height of the pandemic end.