A fascinating opportunity to get to grips with one of the solutions to the post-war housing shortage. There were 46 Prefabs at the Finch Lane Estate, just on the east side of Amersham. My research at the PRO, BRE and through personal interviews showed it was constructed in Rickmansworth by the Universal housing Company. There is a persistent myth that they were only built to last 10 years – in fact, this meant they were intended to be replaced by standard housing.within 10 years.

I project manged the dismantling and re-erection of the building, including negotiating health and safety requirements as it was constructed of 26 asbestos cement panels, and commissioned drawings and negotiated fabrication of new pressed steel bases, into which the panels slotted.

I also tracked down and interviewed many of the original tenants to build up a picture of life on the estate. I compiled a history of the building and delivered talks on prefabricated housing.