The idea
Tottenham Pavilion is an ambitious project bringing 300 local residents together to build, produce & run an arts / community pop-up Pavilion.
Inspired by Harringay Warehouse District, a former industrial site in Tottenham self-converted by artists, performers & community advocates. Through self-building a Pavilion & co-designing events, we aim to enable local residents to discover the same joy creating their own moment of wonder.
Tottenham & nearby areas are all experiencing significant regeneration. We plan to flip the traditional approach on its head, by letting residents take the lead. Using a design by architects Nine (winners of our global competition), Tottenham Pavilion is flexible enough to accommodate all forms of social distancing.
Temporarily occupying a site earmarked for development, assets from the Pavilion will be re-purposed or retained elsewhere on the Warehouse Estate creating a public legacy. Participants will gain skills, connections & lasting memories.
What we'll deliver
- A 'recyclable' 73 sqm Pavilion, Gatehouse & Accessible Facilities
- Additional up-cycled features; Makers' Shed, Planters, Bar, Stage & Furniture
- Professionally supervised Self-Build project for local volunteers
- Co-Design Workshops with local volunteers to produce an events & activities programme
- Opportunity for local residents & artists to host talks, workshops, classes, markets, exhibitions, performances, events
Why it's a great idea
Five great reasons:
(1) It will bring people together in a totally unique, hands-on experience unlike anything available locally.
(2) It lets us bring a plot of dead land to life - creating a much needed space for artists, performers, community advocates & workshop leaders to be able to present work during a pandemic. Flexible enough to accommodate all variations of social distancing.
(3) We tried it in 2019 on the same site with a marquee – people loved the group based activity, the chance to make new friends & do something different with their spare time.
(4) It’s D.I.Y. on a grand scale – a great way to try something new, learn new skills, build up experience & make lasting memories.
(5) Endorsed by leading architects Clare Richards (ftwork) & Katy Marks (Citizen Design Bureau), we can influence how areas are developed by sharing the impact of the project with other urban developments in Tottenham & further afield.
Steps to get it done
- Finish recruiting volunteers (sign up via our website)
- Purchase construction material & tools
- Launch volunteer time tracker & 'Pavilion Pound' rewards
- Train 'building volunteers' in health & safety, a tool box talk & good site practices
- Host co-design workshops for activities & events
- Build the Pavilion - a 'Festival of Building' over 4-6 weeks
- Launch event - hopefully with London Festival of Architecture
- Oversee a co-produced programme of arts / community events & activities
- Re-purpose Pavilion across the Warehouse estate & neighbouring communities later in 2022
- Share impact of the project to influence similar projects & other urban developments
CONTEXT
Maynard’s Wine Gum manufacturers were the first factory to arrive on Harringay Warehouse District in 1914, since then the area has changed hands 100s of times. In the areas past, present & future - change is a constant. Some find change exciting, others have trepidation. This project isn’t about stopping change, rather its about finding a better way to influence & understand change.
TRACK RECORD
In 2019, we ran a pilot project on the same site with arts workshops for local residents. People really valued the chance to meet others & try something completely new.
In 2020, we held a competition to find a winning Pavilion design, receiving 166 designs from architects around the world. We also ran co-design workshops with local residents. These workshops are continuing (unfunded) in 2021 (optimistic that we’ll hit the fundraising target!).
GETTING INVOLVED
Registration to get involved with Tottenham Pavilion is open via the website – if you’re interested, sign up today.
