We are in a housing crisis. We urgently need new ideas.
Step forward… We Can Make.

We are taken to Knowle West, South Bristol, a 100-year-old council-built estate and one of the most deprived areas in Europe. The spirit in the neighbourhood is unbroken though and this community are taking a different route to affordable housing.

“I changed from being a traditional builder to a builder of modern methods of construction – Being involved that deeplY it becomes yours.”

– John Bennett, We Can Make resident

Working with a ‘people-first’ approach, community-led organisation We Can Make are identifying those in need of housing and then match-making them with people and place to find a microsite that is suitable.

“I have been homeless in my life and it isn’t the greatest thing. To be able to give someone a home was a good thing. It was just nice to be nice to someone.”

– BILL KELLY, We Can Make HOST

The homes are made locally, using timber cut on a CNC machine and transported by electric van or bicycle to the microsites. Low carbon and built to meet the residents specific needs they are an innovative approach using modern methods of construction.

The land transfer is pioneering, transferring council-owned land to a community land trust – fixing the rent at living rent, no more than a third of local household average income.

“I’m proud to say I’m from Knowle West now.”

– Toni Grey, We Can Make resident

Our film follows the community pioneers over 18 months with a full before and after – seeing their full journey with the project, right up to their beautifully finished timber homes, with their unique characteristics.

The first residents have just moved in and the local benefits are already tangible. They call this gentle and restorative process ‘urban acupuncture’ – as well as the innovative approach to housing, perhaps their community spirit is something beautiful that we can all learn from.

Client: We Can Make
Commissioner: Melissa Mean
Director: Reuben Armstrong
DOP: Jamie Neale
ACs: Matt Leach and Jim Burke
Lighting Rental: Luke Curtis
Sound Recordist: Matt Leach
Voiceover: Makala Cheung
Editor: Jim Burke
Animators: Reuben Armstrong and Dimitris Papadimitriou
Illustrator: Sabba Khan
Photographer: Ibolya Feher
Font Design: Matt Willey
Drone: Arthur Cauty
Stock Footage: Artgrid
Stock Music: Artlist
Sound Design: Jamie Frye
Colourist: Jamie Neale

Featuring:
Melissa Mean
John Bennett
Toni Grey
Bill Kelly
Elaine Olphert
Jonathan Green
Jonathan Lewis

Thanks to the residents and community of Knowle West
Knowle West Media Centre
KWMC The Factory
Nationwide Foundation
Bristol City Council
Blokbuild