Project Partners: SKIP Gallery, BK Waste Management, Antepavilion, Harrison Marshall

Project Brief: Part art installation, part social commentary, the Skip House aims to start a conversation about the UK’s housing crisis and explore alternative solutions. The project is part of SKIP Gallery, an ongoing collaborative public art initiative started to create much needed space, opportunities, funding and advocacy for emerging artists, in a bid to combat the exclusive nature of the art world and more typical gallery spaces. The brief was to convert a skip into a liveable space - fit for sleeping, cooking, washing and even hosting a friend or two.

Our Services: Idea Generation, Brief Development, Concept Design, Developed Design, Technical Design, Construction.

Photographs: Katie Edwards

In response to the cost of living crisis, CAUKIN co-founder Harrison, decided to pack his bags and move into a converted skip to make a statement about the prohibitive cost of rent in London and other cities across the UK.

The project has been published globally across well known media outlets and has received over 25 Million views on Tiktok.

The Skip House is part of Skip Gallery, a public art initiative intended to create space and opportunity for emerging artists, which CAUKIN has worked with on a number of projects.

The project uses a standard 8 yard skip, with an insulated timber frame sitting within. The barrel roof provides enough space to raise the bed above head height, and maintain the lower space for the living area.

A sink and single hob stove make up the kitchen area and storage space spread across two of the walls. A rented portaloo is also situated at the site, providing a much needed toilet, whilst most of Harrison’s showering will happen at the gym or CAUKIN’s place of work.

The entrance is through a hatch above the skip edge, with a small ladder to help with the climb. Cedar shingles clad the exterior walls, and wavy windows bring in natural light and ventilation. A damp proof membrane wraps the bottom half of the timber structure, providing an added layer of protection from water ingress. 

The Skip House is currently located on an empty plot of land in Bermondsey, at the end of a row of terraced housing. The land is owned by Antepavilion; an Arts and Architecture Charity that aims to  promote independent thought and symbiosis in the fields of  art, craft and architecture. The site previously housed a T-34 Russian Tank nicknamed Stompie for 25 years, which became a well known London landmark. The Skip House is likely to relocate to different sites across London during its lifetime. 

The project is kindly supported by BK Waste Management and RMS Skip Hire who have provided the skip for a nominal rate.