Hoko Design, the Glasgow-based architecture practice founded by celebrity architect Danny Campbell, has thrown its support behind two new Social Bite villages.
The firm has developed a bank of digital assets of the sites as part of the planning and community engagement processes – and it has committed to providing pro bono support going forward as Social Bite builds towards its vision of creating a society where no one should have to be homeless.
The Hoko team, led by the BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year star, has donated its time to create the virtual representation of the projects, which will provide temporary homes for up to 31 in the Scottish capital and Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.
Councillors gave the proposal to relocate the Edinburgh village unanimous approval earlier this year. The site will now be situated along Granton Waterfront, while the Rutherglen village will be on Harriet Street, at the former home of Westfield Saw Mills.
The design of the new units has been modified from the original homes based on residents’ feedback. They are made using modular construction methods from sustainably sourced Scottish timber at the Ecosystems Technologies factory in Invergordon. The interiors are designed to provide open-plan space, with natural light maximised by glass frontage.
In addition, the Edinburgh village will feature a new community growing space, enhancing the local area’s greenspace and creating a place to encourage community integration.
Danny Campbell, founder of Hoko Design, said: “I really admire what Josh has achieved. He’s shown incredible entrepreneurship and demonstrated clearly how the business world can be a force for good. So, when the opportunity came up to support Social Bite, I jumped at it.
“The visuals speak for themselves, but we wanted to get them absolutely perfect for such a worthwhile cause and demonstrate that architecture has a huge role to play in making homes for people from all backgrounds. The planting and landscape are also just as important to capture the overall concept of the villages.
“I learned from my brother about the importance of giving back – something he always tried to do before he unfortunately passed away last year. It really changed my perspective and made me think about how I could support worthwhile causes as much as possible. And Social Bite is an amazing organisation which I’m delighted to help through my work.
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“The whole team at Hoko is incredibly motivated to support the development of Social Bite’s villages, as we know they have a lasting impact on people experiencing homelessness, helping them to lead stable, independent lives.”
Social Bite founder Josh Littlejohn said: “Hoko’s imagery really helps to capture imaginations and illustrate our vision for the villages in a new and exciting way. The visuals helped to persuade councillors to approve the Edinburgh village planning application earlier this year, and they continue to bring the concept to life for donors. A big thank you to Danny and the team for their support and commitment to the movement to end homelessness.”
