Design competition

Make Bethnal Green

Affinity Sutton's Bethnal Green estate in East London celebrated its 100th birthday in 2009. Designed by Victorian architects Joseph and Smithem in the early 1900’s, it was one of Europe's first social housing developments.

Originally home to some 400 people, Bethnal Green offered an escape from London's East End slums and a decent home.

In our first Affinity Sutton Design Competition, we challenged Part 2 students to ‘Make Bethnal Green’ by asking them — 'What would you build on the same site today and how would that design make a positive contribution to the environment?' 

The winners

Congratulations to George Calver and Joe Williams, joint winners of the first Affinity Sutton Design Competition.

They were each awarded a six-month placement at HTA.

George Calver -Oxford Brookes University

George spent his placement week at Hunters.

Judges comment:

"An honest, pure form of architecture with residents and the community at its heart and external spaces as important as the buildings".

View the winning design

Joe Williams - Oxford Brookes University

Joe spent his placement week at Cartwright Pickard.

Judges comments:

"Joe uses architecture to increase social sustainability and reverse the current trend for working, playing and shopping in isolation".

View the winning design

Commendations also were awarded to Chris Bell, Richard Mather and Heena Mistry.