Understanding Market Needs: "Building for Families: How Developers Can Create Homes That Foster Togetherness”
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Building for families - designing for life in between the walls:
Architecture in the UK is evolving rapidly to adapt to our modern needs, alongside a growing demand for housing and shifting expectations about what our homes should offer. For architects, this means creating buildings and neighbourhoods that encourage connection, improve wellbeing and make daily routines easier.
One of the clearest examples of this shift is the growth of build-to-rent developments. By deliberately sacrificing floor area in favour of shared spaces, such as gyms, play areas, indoor and outdoor gardens, cafés and event spaces, they prioritise people and relationships, not just density. For families, this means giving their children room to play safely, and a place to naturally meet other parents and catch up over a cup of tea without the pressure of going elsewhere. These small thoughtful designs can make everyday life feel easier and more enjoyable, and create opportunities for small interactions that make a place feel welcoming and safe.
Why togetherness is becoming a design feature in the UK:
This shift towards togetherness is increasingly visible in UK housing design and the overall satisfaction levels reinforce this picture. According to the quality of Life Foundation report on build to rent, nearly 89% of residents said they were happy with their homes, a big improvement from the national average of 81% compared to normal housing.
Importantly, these developments appeal to more than short term renters such as students and digital nomads. Over one fifth of residents were aged over 40, and more than one in ten had lived in their homes for over five years. That sense of stability suggests these neighbourhoods are working well for families and people looking to settle, not just those passing through.
A strong real-world example is UNCLE, a UK residential developer operating across London, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. Their schemes typically include gyms, roof terraces, co-working lounges, cinemas and gardens, all designed to be genuinely usable rather than token additions. Developments such as UNCLE Acton, Wembley and Elephant and Castle show how high-density living can still feel generous and sociable when shared spaces are carefully designed.
Beyond Square Metres: Designing Better Built-to-Rent Communities
When some of the area that would traditionally be used for private units is instead dedicated to shared amenities, residents gain something more valuable than extra square metres. They gain opportunities to connect, to build relationships and to feel part of a place.
However, the same study also raised concerns that need addressing if these developments are to reach their full potential. One issue was affordability, while on-site cafés and shops were appreciated, they were often more expensive than alternatives further away. Other concerns included overheating in summer, homes that perform well in winter but can struggle during heatwaves.
Noise and perceptions of higher crime were also raised, developers can help by separating noisy uses from homes, improving acoustic insulation, designing safer routes and using lighting and landscaping to increase natural surveillance, addressing these challenges quickly plays a major role in making residents feel heard and supported, and happy with their living situation.
Homes That Work for Real Families:
In a housing market under pressure, families are not only choosing homes based on size or location, but on how those homes support everyday life. Even within individual family units, interdependence on other families is critical for people to truly thrive. Families need their own homes or flats as places to grow, rest and build their private lives. But to gain support from those nearby, whether that is informal childcare, shared routines or simply a sense of reassurance, the spaces in between those homes also need careful consideration. When designed well, developments that integrate courtyards, shared gardens and communal rooms reduce isolation become the settings where relationships form and mutual family support begins.
This continued engagement with residents, by responding to both what people love and being reactive to their complaints, allows both architects and developers to create homes that genuinely foster togetherness, and that are built to accommodate the fast-changing housing market in cities like London.
If you’re interested in discovering how a tailored architectural approach can create the right space for your family, please feel free to email at info@sha.uk.com or book a free 20 minute exploratory call below.