Social housing emerged in the 19th century with a bid to clear the slums and provide homes fit for humans. Architects, politicians and reformers have variously pursued Utopian ideals and achieved mixed results. Numerous models have been developed aimed to enhance social cohesion from the paternalistic ‘Garden Cities ’to the radical ‘Streets in the Sky’. However, as the Utopian vision faded
an antisocial stigma soon infected the character of social housing.

This dissertation examines the history of social housing’s sociability amongst residents, the community and wider public realm. The case studies referenced deliver the ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ of social housing discussing the relationship between sociability and architecture. Outcomes are varied but today attitudes towards social housing are changing.

Architects are learning from past mistakes and working with those who stand to benefit most from successful social housing schemes - the Residents. Together, they are now embracing earlier successes to better ensure that social housing is indeed sociable.