Kyle explained how the project came about and the unique circumstances that arise when an architectural practice is selected via a public vote. Being chosen by the local residents changes the dynamic and puts the responsibility on squarely on the architect’s shoulders to deliver a truly neighbourly building. 

We worked with the residents through a series of community design workshops that allowed us to explore constraints and communicate the purpose of the project, and in turn they helped us solve some very specific problems. The proposed building respects views and overshadowing, as well as improving routes through the site for everyone and provides a community square for barbecues and fetes.

We built trust and drew people into the process, which resulted in only one objection at planning and 107 letters of support, something that is unprecedented in the borough. This project proves that by bringing residents in as collaborators we can significantly improves our chances of unlocking difficult sites across London and the UK.

The exhibition is free and runs until the 18th of July 2019 at the NLA. The book is available to buy and download here.

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