Allerton in Bradford is a place without the core elements of communal stability, and has been underserved historically through chronic lack of investment in local life. Ranking number 95 out of 100 of worse places for employment in the UK, the ageing housing stock, poor quality urban environments and a lack of legitimate opportunities for personal and financial growth conspire to create an ongoing atmosphere of unloved streets and forgotten communities without a vision for how the area might improve. 

The Old Vicarage will be a training exercise to build young people’s confidence, interest in construction and will offer them a place to flourish. Rooted In already deliver live-enterprise training where young people work in and run one of two coffee shops or a pizza-making service. The Old Vicarage project opens new avenues for training in construction especially through the WikiHouse system with Architecture Unknown. This will allow Allerton’s young people to construct the majority of the two extensions planned for the Old Vicarage together as a team using only a hammer and screws.

By transforming this unloved pile of unconnected rooms into a joyous facility that offers entrepreneurial and learning opportunities, as well as safe space to simply hang out, meet friends and do homework, the Old Vicarage will become a supportive lifeline for young people in Allerton. 

The extension to the Old Vicarage will use a pioneering system called WikiHouse that combines the accuracy of off-site manufacturing with the capacity for “sweat equity” available to community-led groups. WikiHouse is the construction ‘flatpack’ of the 21st century, and has the potential to do for construction what IKEA furniture did for bespoke joinery. By prioritising simple installation and high quality building materials, the system can turn anyone into a master builder with the capability to construct even complex schemes.

Spearheaded by the youth of Allerton, this comprehensive community project will be an anchor for one of the most deprived areas in England. The construction of this extension elaborates on the goals of creating community-based solutions to local problems, that are very much Do-It-Yourself. Youth volunteers will lead through design participation and the construction of their own facility, encouraging social and skill growth whilst enhancing community spirit. With this, the project becomes an emotional investment and increases the sense of achievement felt by team members who will be creating a landmark that will stand out in Bradford.

By embedding new skills and confidence in the next generation, this project will improve long-term aspirations whilst addressing the lingering trauma of post-Covid instability, encouraging Allerton’s youth to become intuitive problem-solvers. Those involved will be empowered to step into future education, training, employment and entrepreneurship that will benefit the local economy, wellbeing and life satisfaction.

Rooted In Homes (RIH) is community based organisation established in 2003 and over the years the scope, scale and ambitions of the organisation have grown significantly. Rooted In Homes have a clear culture of building people first and foremost whilst reaching towards daring solutions to see lives changed and their community transformed from within.

Working with Architecture Unknown Ltd. (AU), who specialises in community engagement, socially conscious design and community construction has enabled the project to be designed to be wholly sourced from within Allerton so that everyone can be part of the construction of a shared future.

Headed up by Josiah Sulc (RI), Charlie Butterwick (AU) and Daniel Kelso (AU), the core team has a bold belief that truly engaging with the community and expanding the process of design and construction can be a tool for radical community engagement and positive social change. To both Rooted In and Architecture Unknown, the future success of community lies within, and we therefore have a responsibility to create the environment, training and opportunities for the ideas and solutions to be discovered, developed and turned into transformative change for Allerton’s youth.

The future of the Old Vicarage is centred around the expansion of life chances for all of Allerton’s young residents. Acting primarily as a youth centre, the new and improved Vicarage would also house craft/workshop facilities and also living accommodation for young people just stepping out on their own or in particular need of a lifeline. 

Architecture Unknown
Rooted In
WikiHouse