The Transforming Homes Webinar Series is back!
The Transforming Homes project involves residents, industry, local authorities, social housing, community and not-for profit organisations and researchers working together to co-design the transformation of existing homes to make them fit for future generations. This includes modifying the design and spaces, using bio-based materials instead of oil-based products and reducing energy demand, using renewable energy and energy storage technologies.
Join the project team this summer to hear about their progress and the lessons learned from activities across the project, including the demonstration homes being delivered in Bristol and Swansea, the co-design processes supporting the research and the resources being developed to inspire housing transformation.
Further information via the Transforming Homes website
Webinar Series 2026
Webinar 1: Delivering the transformation of 1920-1940 Council built homes for future living
Thursday 2nd July 2026 | 12:00 to 13:00
With Dr Rob Grover (Senior Lecturer in Architecture, University of Bath), Joel Cady (Research Associate, Cardiff University), Emma Taylor (Research Associate, University of Bath).
This webinar will showcase the design and delivery of the transformation of 1920 to 1940 Council-built homes in Bristol and Swansea. These demonstration home transformations combine design and spatial change, the use of bio-based and non-extractive materials and inclusion of low carbon technologies to go beyond retrofit. Community co-design and novel delivery mechanisms assembled through live design and construction are embedded in the process. Monitoring, modelling and testing have been carried out throughout to support decision making and provide evidence of the transformations.
Webinar 2: Putting people at the heart of housing transformation
Thursday 9th July 2026 | 13:00 to 14:00 BST
With Dr Catherine Butler (Associate Professor in Human Geography, University of Exeter), Dr Louise King (Research Associate, University of Bath), Dr Lucy McFadzean (Research Fellow, University Exeter).
This webinar focuses on the methods and approaches for co-design that have been developed across the Transforming Homes project. The consortium has been working with residents across England and Wales who live and work in homes built by Councils between 1920-1940. Designs are being developed for these homes that address contemporary environmental and social challenges, creating space for modern living, utilising sustainable materials and incorporating technical changes. A wide range of approaches and resources have been created for engaging people, centring their insights, wisdom, knowledge and practical skills in the design and delivery processes.
Webinar 3: Developing a Transforming Homes Design Catalogue to inspire future housing transformations
Thursday 16th July 2026 | 13:00 to 14:00 BST
With Dr Steve Coombs (Director of Undergraduate Teaching, Cardiff University), Laura Brain (Research Associate, Cardiff University), Dr Chenfei Liu (Research Associate, Cardiff University).
This webinar will focus on an emerging Design Catalogue for the transformation of 1920-1940 Council built homes. The Catalogue is being co-designed by residents, community groups, local authorities, social housing companies, industry, not-for-profit organisations and academics. Practical and inspirational, the Design Catalogue will guide the user through a range of strategic design approaches and detailed design solutions where spatial and experiential design, and using bio-based, non-extracted materials and operational and embodied carbon are considered.