Better Together by Lucy Hobbs

Better Together by Lucy Hobbs is a cooperative housing architecture project for Withington, Manchester, centred on shared outdoor space and community connection.

The project works because it asks a simple housing question: how can the layout help people live near each other, share space and feel connected to the wider neighbourhood?

Project images

The project visuals show the housing proposal, shared spaces and neighbourhood thinking behind the Better Together concept.

Project overview

Lucy graduated from Manchester School of Architecture with a 2:1. Better Together was her final year proposal for a housing development in Withington, Manchester.

The scheme promotes co-operative principles through shared outdoor spaces, neighbourhood connection and a layout that responds to the site’s historical context.

What makes the housing idea clearer

• The project starts with the social idea of living better together.
• Shared outdoor space becomes part of the housing strategy.
• Historical context informs how the site opens back to the wider area.
• The scheme focuses on community connection, not only unit layout.
• The project gives a Part I portfolio a clear housing and neighbourhood narrative.

Portfolio lesson

Housing projects are judged on more than plans and elevations. A strong portfolio page should explain the relationship between privacy, shared space, movement, threshold and the character of everyday life.

Architecture Social view

Stephen’s recruiter view is that housing projects stand out when they show how people actually live. If the shared space, thresholds and routes are clear, the project becomes easier for a practice to understand.

Next step

Explore more student projects, browse Part I Architectural Assistant jobs, or submit a housing project.