Architect's skip house underscores London housing crisis

Harrison Marshall, a British architect, decided to transform a skip into a home, which is both a work of art and a commentary on the housing crisis in London. As Marshall explains on Instagram, he plans to reside there for a year.

London, the capital of the United Kingdom, has never been renowned for affordable living. On returning from working abroad, Marshall was taken aback by the staggering rise in property prices.

He converted a standard skip together with Skip Gallery, an institution promoting artistic initiatives. Previously, alongside the design firm CAUKIN Studio, he participated in similar projects in New York and London, which also involved using skips.

Although the house primarily serves as an artistic installation, Marshall emphasises the social issue of escalating rents, which are challenging many citizens. The artist remarked that the project strikes a balance between art and a meaningful social message.

Living in a skip that covers an area of 25 square feet (approximately 2 square metres), Marshall's setup includes a loft bed, storage spaces, a kitchen counter that doubles as a desk, and a sink. Electricity was connected only a month after moving in, but no toilet or running water was available. Instead, Marshall uses the shower facilities at work or the gym.

Marshall chose this solution due to the significantly lower rental costs. He spends around £50 a month, a considerable saving compared to the average rental expense in central London, about £1,400 a month. For him, the skip home was the sole viable option for residing in this part of the city, and the charitable organisation Antepavilion provided the necessary space for the project.