Homeworld ’81 was a significant and nationally important Housing Expo, commissioned by Milton Keynes Development Corporation. This ambitious and pioneering undertaking put Milton Keynes on the map as leader in innovative housing design.

During May 1981 over 150,000 people paid to visit Homeworld’81. 36 homes ranging from studio starter homes to large 5 bed detached houses were on show and all are still standing, although some have been altered since the exhibition. All the exhibits were sold after the exhibition and are now private homes. The criteria was “innovation” and this encompassed building techniques as well as design features inside the homes. While some innovations are now commonplace others are not. With people in 2021 searching to improve their spaces in their homes and gardens for better living, Homeworld and its lessons are as relevant today to helping us improve our quality of life and wellbeing.

This event celebrates where Homeworld began and what we know about it from our archives. Josh Tidy, Curator at the Garden City Museum will talk about the 1905 Clean Cottages Exhibition in Letchworth Garden City which inspired Homeworld ’81 and why this was so innovative at the time. He will be followed by Catherine McIntyre, Archivist at MK City Discovery Centre who will highlight some of the important archives we have about Homeworld and why celebrating its 40th anniversary is so important to widening our learning of this seminal event why contemporary collecting today remains significant.

Programme

18.00 Welcome to the Event - Shane Downer, Heritage and International Partnerships, MKC

18.05 The Letchworth Garden City 1905 Clean Cottages Exhibition,

Josh Tidy, Heritage Manager, Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation

18.25 Why collect? Why Celebrate? Discovering Homeworld in the MKCDC Archives

Catherine McIntyre, Archivist at MK City Discovery Centre and MK Museum

18.45 Questions, Answers and Discussion.

19.00 End of Event