People's Pavilion 2023 - Build

The People's Pavilion 2023 - The Build 

Support East London's young designers to build their People's Pavilion winning design for 2023, a temporary structure to be built at Lea Bridge Libaray in Leyton, Waltham Forest. 

Project Description: 

The People's Pavilion 2023 design competition was launched in September 2022 offering young people in East London aged 14-18 the opportunity to design a Pavilion to host a cultural festival programmed by young Londoners. 

Beyond The Box CIC assembled a multidisciplinary team of diverse collaborators to engage & inspire a generation of  young designers, architects, engineers and cultural programmers 

We have engaged with over 100 young East Londoners since September, providing skills building and industry collaborations, providing an inclusive and accessible programme for all involved (see video). 

We celebrated each young teams pavilion design during a three week exhibition, displayed on Mare Street in Hackney and in Leabridge Libaray in Leyton as well as online, with the public being invited to vote for their favourite design. 

Over 2,250 votes were counted and the winning design was revealed for the People’s Pavilion 2023, with Roots of Heritage, designed by team Cultural Maze, consisting of Bruno De Marco (18), Tomi Balogun (18), and Zhané Phillips’ (18), winning over the public with their pavilion concept design (image below). 

The Roots of Heritage Pavilion will be made of sustainably and locally sourced materials. The form of the structure includes a tree-like pillar that branches out and wraps around the space to meet with the stage platform, made accessible through ramp features. The design considers inclusivity further through the senses, such as the bright colour of the netting allowing for visual accessibility, and a variety of textures for children to enjoy, taking them on a journey of sensory exploration. A key feature of the Roots of Heritage Pavilion is an installation activity that invites community members to share their messages on the pavilion itself.

The competition tested a new approach to co-design with young people, engaging them in cultural placemaking and programming. They have developed skills, built networks, engaged with over 30 professional organisations and explored the potential of a career in the design, build and creative sectors....and its not over!!

We are now working with our collaborators, Scale Rule CIC, Re-fabricate and newly formed architectural practice Saqqra to develop the winning design with the young people. 

We're now asking for your help to support the build of the winning pavilion design.

Benefits of the Project:

The People’s Pavilion exists to not only inspire the minds of the next generation of architects designers and engineers, expanding the industry’s access to a wider pool of talent, but It also elevates emerging practices and collectives. 

Support young diverse talent in the design and construction industry. The Royal Institute of British Architects has reported the number of architects from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic backgrounds are decreasing in the UK, a statistic that applies across the sector. 

Empower Young People: 30% per cent of the UK population is under 25, but the number of young citizens who are invited to the decision-making table when it comes to placemaking is extremely low. 

Community Participation: Young people are not just the future users of spaces they are the current users. With 50% of youth centres closing over the past 10 years, there's an opportunity to gain real insights from London’s youth to understand what they want from a physical space. 

Other Info: The People’s Pavilion will form one of the largest creative engagement projects carried out across East London with young people, gaining insight into what the youth community want to see from their built environment and informing new approaches to community and youth engagement. 

The People’s Pavilion is as much about the future of the construction industry as it is about creating opportunities for young people.

Through the People’s Pavilion, you are part of a movement that refuses to accept the status quo.

Any help, large or small that you can give would be gratefully appreciated. 

Stay Safe and Thank You 

Beyond The Box CIC 

Find out more here