New Practice
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Subtle Shifts

 

Subtle Shifts

Design and building of temporary pavilion for the former London Olympics 2012 Athlete’s Village

How can subtle changes made to space, daily routine and community engagement lead to wider long term shifts in the identity of a place?

Subtle Shifts was a month long spatial intervention, and series of events, that took place at East Village as part of London Festival of Architecture 2018.

 
 
A person talking with a microphone, with people sat listening on either side.

Victory Park is located within East Village, the former London 2012 Athletes’ Village in Stratford. It is a new neighbourhood, and a new community.

 
 

We collaborated with Glasgow based designer, Tenement, to create a temporary intervention within East Village.

The design was developed through a close creative relationship, exploring a range of natural materials; timber, beetroot, turmeric.

We led a week long on-site build, drawing the curiosity of residents and passersby.

 
A collection of tools hanging from a board.
 
 
A person holding a paint brush applying a purple stain to a piece of wood.
A pavilion structure sat in a paved public space, with trees and tall buildings in the background.
 
 

Subtle Shifts was launched on Saturday the 2nd of June 2018 with an afternoon of discussion on identity, linking to the theme of the Festival, where a range of invited speakers and local residents discussed the emergence of identity in a new place.

A group of people sitting within a public pavilion space, with children playing in the foreground, and tall buildings and trees in the background.
 
 
A person speaking in to a microphone, sat amongst other people, with the pavilion structure in the background.
A child sitting on a bench drawing, with an adult stood behind talking to them.
 
 

Originally designed to stand for the month long duration of the festival, the structure proved incredibly popular with local residents and remained in place for nearly a year. During that time it was used for a wide range of community events including salsa dancing, lego workshops and even a wedding ceremony.

 
 

  • Client: Get Living London

  • Location: East Village, London, UK

  • Completion: 2018

  • Collaborators: Tenement, London Festival of Architecture, Sahra Hersi