LEADING lights in housing design have seen their work showcased at an exhibition in York.

York Environment Forum is hosting the free public display in Guildhall over the next week to spotlight the UK’s trailblazers in “innovative” schemes, including an example from the group’s home city, which were victorious in the Housing Design Awards 2013.

Among the winning projects was the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust’s Derwenthorpe development, whose designs have gone on show alongside others.

The exhibition opened yesterday and will run until next Monday, when a talk on new developments in housing will be held by architect Phil Bixby, of Constructive Individuals, at 6pm, alongside an open evening.

“This exhibition showcases some of the best examples nationwide of contemporary housing and will be of interest to York residents who are concerned about the projected increase in housing in our area,”said a spokesman for the forum.

“The forum feels this is a good time to show both the public and housing providers what can be achieved with imagination and a willingness to explore new avenues of housing provision.

Some of these schemes look quite traditional, others may be unusual at first glance, but all show how housing can be designed to suit residents’ needs with highly practical yet affordable solutions.”