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Housing Futures Research Lab

By Lawrence Blough and Deborah Gans

Faculty members Lawrence Blough and Deborah Gans were awarded a $50,000 grant from PennPraxis Case Studies in Design to research a community-led project. Their case study focuses on Rural Urban Synthesis Society’s Church Grove, a housing project consisting of 36 affordable homes and a community hub in Lewisham, London. Located within the center of a large city on a land trust established by RUSS—a type that is often aspired to but rarely executed because of the complexities of building codes, financing and policy—makes it of particular importance. Additionally, at Church Grove, the architectural system includes self-built components and management of shared resources that demonstrates community process, values and on-site job training continuing the legacy of Walter Segal Architect. Their work includes historical research, analytical drawings and interviews with stakeholders culminating in a written report and future symposium at University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design. 

Series of four axonometric diagrams analyzing housing blocks labeled “West Block” and “East Block,” showing variations in tenure mix, self-build options, shared amenities like vertical planting and gardens, and apartment types ranging from 1B to 4B.
Wide-angle photo of a person sitting in a modern curved plywood chair in an urban park, facing New York City’s Washington Square Arch. The surrounding environment includes people walking, historic red-brick buildings, and flowering trees.
Axonometric drawing of a modular building assembly showing an exploded view of wall, floor, and roof framing components surrounding a partially constructed two-story structure on pier foundations.
Perspective line drawing of a framed two-story house with exposed structural members including beams, joists, and studs. The image highlights stair access and window openings.
A collage featuring a photo of a wooden structure under construction, an aerial hand-drawn sketch of a forested co-housing site, a colorful photograph of a completed home with red paneling and large windows, and a detailed site plan axonometric of a dense housing development.
Diagram of a multi-unit housing elevation showcasing colored entrance doors and wall panel options. Below, a partially rendered section axonometric shows the building’s interior structure and floor divisions.
Collage of four photographs showing a woman holding a hand-written message about sustainable homes, a landscaped co-housing courtyard with garden plots, a multi-story housing building with external stairways and ramps, and a close-up of a decorated apartment balcony filled with plants.
Photo of a shelf labeled “Co-Housing Research Center,” displaying multiple 3D-printed architectural site models in a variety of typologies and vibrant color schemes. Below the models are books and documents related to cohousing research.

  • Lawrence Blough

    Lawrence Blough is Professor with Tenure at Pratt Institute School of Architecture and Principal of GRAFTWORKS Design Research. In addition to being Head of the Core Design sequence in the…

  • Deborah Gans

    Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and recipient of their 2014 New York State Educator Award; publications include the Le Corbusier Guide, which has been translated into four languages,…