Livesey Exchange

Proposed

what if: projects

Livesey Exchange is a new cultural destination for Old Kent Road, designed and led by local residents. Conceived as ‘Village Hall meets Turbine Hall', it will be a local hub for skill sharing.

LEX is delivering a community hub and workspaces for skill sharing on a currently vacant site in one of London’s largest regeneration areas - Old Kent Road. This transformative grassroots project started by Nicholas Okwulu with what if: projects at the Ledbury Estate garages in 2006, has evolved over several years of local engagement, fund raising and collaboration with businesses and local government. LEX demonstrates how long-term engagement and effective partnerships can secure space for local aspirations in a contested urban context.

Shortlisted in the EXPERIENCING CULTURE category

Livesey Exchange is a new cultural destination for Old Kent Road, designed and led by local residents. Conceived as ‘Village Hall meets Turbine Hall', it will be a local hub for skill sharing.

It will consist of a pair of two-storey blocks housing, a double-height multipurpose space served by a canteen, yards and work spaces. Tall signage marks the entrance and acts as a beacon amid the changing environment of Old Kent Road. Designed to a low budget and for disassembly, the timber-framed buildings employ a simple palette of materials creating a tough, adaptable envelope for an emerging programme.

View the 2020 winning projects here

Project information

Status

Proposed

Borough

Southwark

Size

538 sq m

Completion

2021

Location

2248 St James's Rd, London SE16 3JH, UK