Chalet Fields of the Gower - Hardcover

by Stefan Szczelkun (Author), Owen Short (Author)

70 colour photographs of houses on two of the Chalet Fields of the Gower peninsular in South Wales. These show a form of self-provision of working-class housing which begins with a simple timber-framed dwelling. Over the last 60 years most of these simple, cheap houses have evolved into desirable residences. In the process they have a acquired an idiosyncratic style that gives them considerable charm. Looking beyond this aesthetic appeal they provide evidence of a method that could again be used to allow people to make and acquire their own homes.

Photographed with a Sigma DP2 camera with Foveon sensor.

An interview with local architect Owen Short gives an insight into how these communities negotiated changes in the legal planning environment.