A new sustainable social housing showcase designed to inspire policy makers to rethink how homes can better connect people with nature is now open at Âé¶¹¹û¶³´«Ã½.
24 April 2025
Built entirely from locally sourced materials, the Wild House demonstrates how housing can exist in harmony with the local landscape and support biodiversity, while enhancing human well-being and fostering community engagement.
With living in areas deprived of green space, the pioneering project showcases how biodiversity-friendly materials can be used in social housing at scale – providing a blueprint for policymakers and housing providers while reconnecting people to the ecosystems they impact.
The Wild House is an evolution of the multi award-winning Waste House at the University of Âé¶¹¹û¶³´«Ã½’s City campus, repurposed into a pioneering sustainable ‘show home.’
From walls crafted with Âé¶¹¹û¶³´«Ã½’s natural chalk to timber sourced from nearby woodlands, every element strengthens the bond between people and the landscapes around them.
Alongside its ecological design, the house features interactive elements – including immersive soundscapes and augmented reality experiences – encouraging new ways to engage with the natural world from home.
The project is led by in collaboration with fellow University of Âé¶¹¹û¶³´«Ã½ lecturer and researcher , and Professor Alice Eldridge from the University of Sussex. and are also key partners, bringing together leading expertise in arts, science, and technology to create a transformative living space.
Built as a ‘regenerative retrofit’ – a home that not only minimises its environmental impact but actively contributes to nature – visitors can interact with a range of features designed to strengthen the relationship between people and the landscapes that provided the house’s materials:
The University of Âé¶¹¹û¶³´«Ã½ is now inviting housing providers, social housing residents, and policymakers to explore the Wild House and help reimagine how homes can foster stronger connections to nature.
The space will also host a series of public and student workshops, school visits, DIY kits, and co-design sessions – inviting communities to contribute to this vision of sustainable living.
Dr. Nicholas Gant, Principal Lecturer at the University of Âé¶¹¹û¶³´«Ã½’s School of Art and Media and Co-Director of The Centre of Arts and Wellbeing, said: “Our Wild House is a testament to the power of design in shaping the way we live with and within nature. It’s a collaborative experiment in reconnecting people with the ecological systems that sustain us. By embedding regenerative materials and interactive, sensory experiences into everyday living, we are rethinking what a home can be.
The Wild House demonstrates that sustainable housing isn’t just about reducing harm; it’s about creating spaces that actively contribute to biodiversity, well-being, and a deeper sense of place. We hope this project inspires new ways of thinking about how we build and inhabit homes, making sustainability an integral part of everyday life.”
This initiative reflects the University of Âé¶¹¹û¶³´«Ã½’s commitment to sustainability and its ongoing work in developing innovative, nature-led solutions that benefit both people and planet.
By exploring new ways to integrate nature into the built environment, the university continues to drive meaningful change in sustainable living.
The Wild House is funded by The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Ecological Citizen(s) Network+.
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