projects completes community venue on Old Kent Road

Architect’s view

Livesey Exchange is a valuable case study and demonstration project on how more truly community-led capital projects could be enabled. It is a real achievement that after seven years, we finally completed the first phase of LEX. The opening in July was a special moment on this long and, at times, challenging journey. It brought together many of the people who were there from the start and have continued supporting the project. Without the different partners’ long-term commitment and willingness to collaborate and build trust, the Livesey Exchange would not have happened. Big major events impacting LEX’s progress, including Grenfell, Brexit, Covid and rising inflation, could have totally derailed and stopped the project. Instead, and through a multi-faceted collaboration, a new client organisation was enabled to lead a publicly funded project and thus directly impact the shaping of its neighbourhood.

While the new building for LEX is a significant output of our involvement, I draw attention to the easily overlooked but crucial work that has taken time and has enabled the project. Much of our design work over the past seven years has focused on designing the process and communicating with the client group, future users, stakeholders, funders and the wider public. Public events that created new spatial experiences and involved hands-on workshops and large models of the proposed buildings and the high street context were critical to the engagement and breaking down barriers to planning processes.

Events involving over 800 people into the design dialogue were organised with Pempeople, community interest group Action OKR/Peckham Weeklies, business association Vital OKR, students from London Met, UCL, CSM and many local makers and artists. The body of evidence and knowledge built over many years through this process created a mandate for the project, supported funding applications and informed the design of the new buildings.
Ulrike Steven, director and co-founder, what if: projects

Client’s view

Livesey Exchange was born from wanting to harness the immense talent and creativity in the borough of Southwark and the area around Old Kent Road. From its inception in 2015 to the completion of phase one in 2023, it has engaged residents like no other project in the borough. But the best is yet to come. Since opening the first building this summer, more residents are queuing up to use the space than we can accommodate. Everybody loves it. People like the aesthetic of the building. It’s a hub that people feel they can use. A black-led and new organisation being the client of a project like this is unusual and a real achievement that raises aspirations for many local people and community groups.
Nicholas Okwulu, director, Livesey Exchange

Funder’s view

The design team is made up of local practitioners whose commitment to working with the community has been evidenced throughout the process. Based on sound first principles of environmentally conscious design and best practice, the resulting scheme demonstrates a hugely satisfying achievement that is clever, stylish and good value for money. Its location on the Old Kent Road, alongside the extensive and high-rise pipeline development projects, will provide a welcome counter-point in scale and character. Funded by a mix of public funding, private funding and crowdfunding sourced from the local community, this project exemplifies what a community project can be and is one with which the Council is proud to be associated with.
Matt Derry, London Borough of Southwark

I am delighted to see the first phase of this vital community hub take shape on the Old Kent Road. A better, fairer London for all is realised when communities have spaces to come together to work, learn and relax; the Livesey Exchange encapsulates this ideal, ensuring strong local roots are maintained in a rapidly developing area of our city. I am proud of the support the Mayor has been able to give this project through his Good Growth Fund, and I look forward to further developments as new buildings come into use.
Jules Pipe, deputy mayor of London for planning, regeneration and skills, GLA

Resident’s view

I have lived on Old Kent Road for 40 years. Old Kent Road is undergoing tremendous change due to its designated Opportunity Area Status and the consequent regeneration of the area. Whilst this may benefit existing residents and businesses, there is also the risk of displacement with local people pushed out, unable to afford to live here or pursue their hopes and dreams, as has become increasingly common throughout London.

The Old Kent Road area is hugely racially and culturally diverse, with few places supporting local entrepreneurs to develop their talents, increase their networks and test out ideas. Space like LEX is crucial for these vital opportunities to continue and flourish. The space and encouragement provided by LEX are pivotal in helping people, especially young people, develop their creative ideas, gain wider recognition and further their careers. The range of local talent, from podcasts, filmmaking, design and bicycle repairs developed through the support of LEX is inspiring both for those trying things out and, importantly, for those thinking about future possibilities.

The community needs local spaces that are welcoming, accessible and affordable. Spaces that can help bring people from all sections of society together. This is how stable, strong neighbourhoods develop and grow.
Janine Rowe