Church Grove

Shepheard Epstein Hunter (SEH) were appointed to the Church Grove project by the Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS) as pragmatic architects for a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) scheme, with the goal of delivering a sustainable, community-led neighborhood offering genuinely affordable housing. Key objectives included aligning the project with budget constraints while staying true to the client’s core brief: a residential-led, self-build development with long-term sustainability at its heart.

A defining principle for RUSS was the active involvement of residents in both the design and construction processes. This approach enabled the creation of custom self-build homes and led to what is now the largest completed self-build project in London.

SEH led the development of a revised scheme through extensive stakeholder consultation and close collaboration with future residents, the Local Planning Authority, and the client. This inclusive process ensured that the design reflected the community’s vision while maintaining a professional architectural framework. The revised plan increased the number of homes from 33 to 36, ranging from one- to four-bedroom units, and included shared amenities such as a community hall, office space, and kitchen: designed to host meetings, performances, and childcare activities. The final scheme offered a diverse tenure mix including social rent, London Living Rent, shared ownership, and shared equity options.

To address fire safety concerns without compromising sustainability goals, the original timber structure and cladding were replaced with alternative materials, including fiber cement cladding and galvanized metal. This fabric-first approach supported reduced carbon emissions while maintaining long-term resilience.

Across the Church Grove development, galvanized steel was used extensively—for balustrades (including Juliet balconies), the walkway and access ramp, the central podium, planter screens, and the entire top-floor structure, including the canopy above the walkway. Galvanized steel was selected for its durability, corrosion resistance, low maintenance, and environmental benefits.