In the latest issue of Show House Magazine, our founder Edwin de Silva shares his perspective on one of the biggest questions facing the sector: how do we increase housing delivery without losing the individuality and design quality that define SME housebuilding?
Edwin highlights a growing concern across the Regional and Bespoke Housebuilders Forum, that national conversations around pattern books and standardised design risk overlooking what SMEs do best: creating homes that are truly rooted in their local context.
For many smaller builders, bespoke design isn’t a luxury. It’s their competitive edge. It’s how they secure land, navigate planning, and deliver the characterful places that communities value. As Edwin notes, a one-size-fits-all approach may offer speed, but it risks eroding the very qualities that make regional builders vital to the UK’s housing mix.
At the Forum, we believe that any future design frameworks must protect room for flexibility, creativity and place-based identity. The article reinforces why this matters now more than ever.
We’re proud to see Edwin champion the voice of SMEs in Show House and we’ll continue to ensure that regional and bespoke builders are firmly represented in the national housing debate.
