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We catch up with Kareem Dayes, chair of the Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS), about the group’s community-led self-build scheme in South London
The Church Grove scheme in Lewisham, South London is RUSS’s first project. It will consist of 33 sustainable new homes
TARAN WILKHU PHOTOGRAPHY
What inspired the concept for RUSS’s innovative Church Grove group self-build scheme?
I grew up on Walter’s Way, Lewisham, in one of the properties that was developed as part of the Walter Segal group housing projects during the 1980s. After moving out of my parents’ home, I eventually reached the point when I needed to find my own accommodation. I quickly realised there wasn’t much happening in terms of collective projects, so I decided to start my own.
RUSS was formed in 2009 with the goal of creating communityled neighbourhoods and affordable dwellings in London. We found the site for our first scheme, in Lewisham, in 2012. That’s when we got serious about planning the details of the Church Grove project.