THEY have been going to the polls at Eastleigh to vote on how the foundations should be laid for a modern style of living.

In June, Swaythling Housing Society launched a national competition in association with Eastleigh council, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and the Royal Institute of British Architects to design a range of affordable homes tailor-made for modern living.

More than 80 architects entered the contest - some from as far afield as Germany, Holland and Japan.

The six designs that have been shortlisted were unveiled at the Swan shopping centre where the public were able to give their verdict.

Architects were given a brief to design a house for the future - one that would be more flexible, adaptable and extendable than the average new home built today.

Energy saving was an important element of the specifications.

The homes will be built on a site - yet to be identified - in Eastleigh borough within two to three years.

The results of the voting public will be taken into account when a panel, which will include representatives of Eastleigh council, the housing society and leading architects, comes to judge the designs on Friday.

It is the first time that Swaythling Housing Society has asked the public to cast their votes on how houses should be designed and there was a good response.

"Housing is something that everyone can relate to and a lot of people are interested in affordable housing," said a spokesman.

Andrea Taylor, business development director of the Oriel Group, which includes the society, said: "We fully intend to build the chosen design on a site in Eastleigh.

"We feel it is important that local people are given the chance to give their views on which design should win."

The winning architect - to be announced in the December edition of the Royal Institute of British Architects - will be invited to develop detailed design proposals for a development of 15 to 20 prototype homes.