Citizens House – community housing project, Lewisham
Westcoast Windows was pleased to supply Swedish designed and manufactured composite windows and doors for a local community housing project in Lewisham.
Responding to an urgent need for local housing, Citizens House is an 11-home, affordable housing project in Sydenham, Lewisham, and is London’s first purpose-built Community Land Trust.
Citizens House is a major achievement as the first community land trust in London that has been directly created by the community using London CLT’s unique affordability model. Home prices are set at rates that are accessible for people on average incomes in Lewisham, and when residents move out, they must sell at a similar level, giving new local families a chance to buy a home they can afford.
Co-designed by the community
It has been co-designed by the community, with local people making key decisions at every step of the way. Residents are made up of a broad mix of local teachers, artists, and NHS workers, as well as families who will now be able to raise their kids in their community.
Early co-design workshops and an on-site open office enabled residents to influence everything from the building layout to the final name. A key outcome was the creation of a hard-landscaped piazza, where children play and neighbours meet, overlooked by balconies and front doors.
Architect Archio brought the building to life with warm brick, generous balconies, a shared garden, and calm interiors. Citizens House won a Housing Design Award in 2023 and at the RIBA Awards in 2025 won a London award, London Client of the Year and a National award.
Composite windows and doors for a warm, welcoming environment
Westcoast Windows supplied 200 m2 of Classic windows and doors for the development across:
- Fixed lights
- Top hung reversible
- Balcony doors
- Entrance doors
With low U-values, the windows provide a warm and welcoming environment, with easy access to the outside space and balconies provided by open out composite doors.
The contemporary brickwork is complemented by the exterior window finish in RAL 7032 (Pebble Grey) and a clean bright white interior.
Images credit: FRENCH+TYE https://www.frenchandtye.com/
Further reading on the project:
https://www.londonclt.org/citizens-house
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