Episode #74: Property development as if people and planet mattered - Steve Sanham (Common Projects)
Podcast episode and companion blog post
Steve Sanham established Common Projects in 2021: a development company led by a purpose to put people and planet at the heart of its decision-making. Steve has an extensive and proven track record in the built environment, specialising in urban regeneration and in using development’s power to deliver better outcomes. Common Projects finances and delivers complex and game-changing development projects in London and the South East with a strong focus on sustainability and social outcomes.
Common is currently delivering two large, complex London sites: the redevelopment of a 1960s ‘utopian’ complex into a community-facing housing scheme for Croydon, retaining and enhancing the original buildings alongside an upcycled community pavilion and garden; and the creative masterplannning of a large former gasworks in the centre of Wandsworth to deliver 650 mixed tenure homes, along with a new creative hub for the music community of south west London.
In this episode we discuss:
An environmental and social approach to housing development
The connection between the climate crisis and housing crisis
Zodiac House redevelopment in Croydon
Wandsworth Gasworks masterplan
This is part 1 of my conversation with Steve. In part 2 he gives me a tour of the Zodiac House cnstruction site and we get more into the details of this project. Part 2 will only be available on this Substack blog, so make sure to subscribe below to get access to that and the newsletter.
Learn more about Steve and Common Projects: https://common-projects.co.uk/
Zodiac House, Croyden
Here is the building before redevelopment/refurbishment started (2019).
Here is a CGI of the reimagined Zodiac House, which Common Projects are currently delivering. As you can see, they are retaining much of the original structure but creating a new public space and ground floor amenities.
Below is a shot of the interior of the office, which has been empty for decades.
Wandsworth Gasworks masterplan
Below are some CGIs of the Wandsworth Gasworks masterplan, courtesy of Shedkm architects. More info here: https://www.wandsworthgasworks.co.uk/
UK Housing completions over time
In the episode I mention a graph showing UK housing completions over the decades, which shows how new social housing (and housing overall) has dropped dramatically since the 1980s. This is from the ‘Meeting housing demand’ report by the House of Lords, which you can access here.
I hope you enjoyed this episode. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Don’t forget to share with a friend or colleague who you think may enjoy it.
Till next time,
Ross