The self-build RUSS project at 12 Church Grove in Ladywell has been shaped by future residents from the start: co-designing the building, sharing ideas, defining principles, raising funds, building a community, advocating for CLTs, building the community hub… And now a group of future residents have picked up tools and materials to work on their own homes as self builders. In January 2023, building company ROOFF handed over five flats as ‘shells’ to be made into homes by the inhabitants themselves.

Each of the ‘shells’ consists of a watertight space, with doors and windows installed. Hollow voids and mysterious pipes are symbols of the opportunity, decisions and work to follow. 

The first few weeks of the build have been focussed on plumbing and stud wall construction, realising the physical strength inherent to the process whilst comprehending the ongoing mental resilience.  

On site, a new everyday language is emerging for the self-builders of Church Grove: wafer-head screws, kerdi board and more.

Learning through doing, the residents are adapting to new skills and experiencing the challenges of balancing work and caring for family with self building their future homes. 

We will be following the progress of the self-builders until the moment they move in at Church Grove.

Photography and text by Ella Stoneham-Bull: I feel honoured to be able to document the progress of the self build team throughout the creation of their homes. I will be attempting to capture both the physical development and challenges of on-site life at 12 Church Grove over the coming months.

RUSS have just launched a crowdfunder appeal to complete landscaping and communal works. Find out more:  https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/riversidecommunitygarden