People's Pavilion 2025

Aim: We’re building something extraordinary — together. The People’s Pavilion 2025 is a youth-led architectural project that places young people

The People’s Pavilion 2025: Built by Young People, for Everyone

This summer, something powerful is happening in the heart of Waltham Forest.

The People’s Pavilion 2025 is more than a building – it’s a youth-led movement that puts creativity, craft, and community centre stage. Set in the stunning gardens of the William Morris Gallery in Waltham Forest, this year’s Pavilion will be co-designed and physically built by young people, local residents, and volunteers.

As a Community Interest Company, we’re raising funds to support the Community Build – the most hands-on and transformative phase of the project. Your contribution will help provide:

• Sustainable building materials
• Two professional carpentry trainers to up-skill young makers
• Tools, fixings, safety gear, and essential on-site facilities

🎥 Watch our video to meet the inspiring young people we’ve worked with over the past 8 months, and hear from the partners who’ve supported them in turning their design ideas into reality.

How Did We Get Here?

Back in October 2024, we set out on an ambitious journey with a simple but powerful idea: what if young people could lead the design of public spaces?

Since then, we've worked with a brilliant group of young people, alongside architects McMu and engineers Scale Rule, to develop the design concept for the People’s Pavilion. Through a series of workshops and collaborative sessions, young participants have built skills, grown in confidence, and discovered the power of co-design — learning how architects, engineers, and communities can come together to shape the spaces around them.

Now, as we move into the summer build phase, the Pavilion is becoming much more than just a structure. Once completed, it will be activated by young people and local organisations to host free workshops, creative activities, and public events. The Pavilion will open as part of the William Morris Gallery's 75th birthday celebrations — a true first-of-its-kind: designed by young people, for the community.

Where Your Money Will Go

Every penny you donate helps bring the People’s Pavilion to life — built by the hands of young people, with the guidance of skilled mentors. Here's how your support will be used:

Materials – £7,500 - Sustainably sourced timber, sheet materials, fixings, and finishes needed to construct the Pavilion. The materials will be repurpose and recycled post the project.  

Skilled Labour – £3,000 - Fees for two professional carpentry trainers who will work with our team to guide and up-skill young participants throughout the build process.

Tools, Fixings, PPE & On-Site Facilities – £2,000 - We have many tools already, but need to upgrade essential hand and power tools, safety equipment, and temporary site facilities to ensure a safe, inclusive, and productive build environment.

Your support helps create a space that belongs to the community — by the community.

The Bigger Picture

Guided by the values of William Morris – craftsmanship, collaboration, and social purpose – the Pavilion will become a vibrant hub for free community events, creative workshops, and public gatherings produced by young Londoners and organisations from across the city.

Together, we’re building more than a structure. We’re building pride, skills, opportunity – and a legacy for the future.

Thank you for being part of it.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 3rd August 2025 at 11:59pm