On a chilly Thursday evening last week 150 people packed into our Diespeker Wharf basement for the launch of Happy Homes, our groundbreaking social value project developed in partnership with the University of Reading and University of Cambridge.

The sold-out event shared the findings of the now-complete 24-month Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership focused on measuring social value in the design of homes. In a nutshell, Happy Homes pulls together residents’ experience of social value in housing with insight from architects and multidisciplinary teams.

After drinks and nibbles, and a brief overview, partner Patrick Devlin and project leader Gloria Vargas Palma outlined the next steps as Happy Homes enters the product development phase.

As Dr Palma explains: ‘Over the past two years, through in-depth interviews and home visits, we have been building an unprecedented database that shows how thoughtful design inspires positive responses in residents. Tonight, we will show how Happy Homes can empower designers and clients to recognise the genuine social value embedded in the homes they deliver.’

Ultimately, Happy Homes will serve as a crucial resource with the power to transform the residential offer for years to come, identifying patterns of social value and guiding innovative strategies that create long term value through design.

The questions came thick and fast: from how Happy Homes will work alongside the GLA's intention to mandate POE on sample projects under the affordable housing programme, to whether it will be compatible with Building Performance Evaluation, so that one informs the other? No inquiry – such as ‘will the orientation of a balcony impact the social value ‘rating’ (answer: yes) - was too detailed.

The next stage is the creation of a Happy Homes Toolkit – with an easy-to-use interface with clear, informative feedback and ultimately a Happy Homes BIM plug-in so design teams can embed ‘social value’ into their designs at the earliest stage.

In the coming months we will also provide regular updates detailing how you can get involved - accessing free-to-use online project testing and feedback to develop and validate the Happy Homes toolkit, supported by project partners.

If you’re wondering how Happy Homes fits in with your workflow, here’s a quick explainer. For design teams, Happy Homes will help teams refine, innovate and challenge design proposals, improving decisions on the spaces, elements and details that enhance social value.

For developers, the app will support developers in making earlier, better decisions on design, delivery, and operations, enhancing product appeal and residents’ wellbeing.

Finally, Happy Homes enables residents to share valued social experiences, ensuring their feedback will shape the design of their future homes.

Please visit the website for further details www.happyhomestoolkit.co.uk