The Urbanism Hour: Back to Back-to-Back
Online lunch hour with AoU Small Grants Scheme recipient Hal Mellen looking at the decline and revival of back-to-back housing typology
The Urbanism Hours are virtual lunch time events that explore a given theme within the built environment, with complementary speakers and a Q&A discussion. For May’s Urbanism Hour, 2025 Small Grants Scheme recipient Hal Mellen will present research from his project, Back to Back-to-Back.
Long associated with slum conditions and banned in 1909, the back‑to‑back house is one of England’s most maligned housing types. This session will explore the divisive history of back-to-back housing, its recent revival and contemporary relevance, drawing on case studies to argue for its cautious re‑use today. Hal will explore the complete history of the back-to-back, why it became so widespread, what led to its downfall and the factors that have enabled its return.
The session will be moderated by Jonathan Wilson (Managing Director, Citu) and will be followed by a Q&A discussion on the theme.
Speaker
Hal Mellen
Hal Mellen is an Associate Urban Designer at ADAM Architecture, working across projects ranging from small village extensions to new settlements. He has a particular focus on contextual urban design and uses an understanding of the architectural and morphological history of place to inform his work. He is especially interested in urban structure and building typology, and their role in supporting healthier, more resilient places.
Hal is a Young Urbanist member of the Academy of Urbanism and was awarded funding for this project through the AoU’s Small Grants Scheme.
