The Pavilion and the Design Studio
As presented to the Partnership Board 26th March 2026 by
Mat Jenner, Culture Development Officer, Woodberry Down, LB Hackney
9. Summary of Woodberry Down Culture Programme — Update on Projects
9.1. The Woodberry Down Culture Programme is currently focused on 4 key projects, of which the proposed Woodberry Down Art Commission is one. This section of the paper outlines the other projects for context with a brief update on their current status.
9.2. All of the projects in the Woodberry Down Culture Programme employ an approach of putting active creative citizenship at the heart of the culture programme, either as decision makers, producers or artists/designers.
9.3. Projects within the programme seek to build sustainable, impactful and embedded structures and capacity for Woodberry Down’s future cultural offer, and work strategically with partners and in alignment with wider socio-economic regeneration objectives where possible.
The Woodberry Down Pavilion
The Pavilion project was successfully piloted in 2025 as part of the Hidden Rivers Festival. Led by architects Yaya & Roy, and the London School of Architecture with support and resources from Notting Hill Genesis, Berkeley Homes and MHDT. The pavilion supported 15 young people to design and build a temporary, reusable pavilion structure. Young people received qualifications and some went on to pursue employment or study in the built environment.
The project also included a 3-week community public programme with small grants trialled for community members to run their own events.
In 2026 the Pavilion will return with two public presentations over a period of 3–4 weeks each. These will be at key green public spaces in Woodberry Down, Spring Park and Rowley Gardens.
The Pavilion will be remodelled with the addition of a large canopy awning to create a covered performance space, enlarging the footprint, capacity and ambition of the pavilion. The awning is to be designed by the Woodberry Down Design Studio (see below).
With each presentation, the Pavilion will be activated by the Pavilion Public Programme, consisting of:
- Workshops led by the Woodberry Down Design Studio
- Community-led activities proposed and funded as part of the Culture Club (see Part 4)
- Invited and commissioned projects by artists and arts organisations as part of the wider Woodberry Down Culture Programme
- Public consultation on the regeneration of Woodberry Down
The Pavilion will continue to be led and managed by Yaya & Roy, with the support of a cohort of young people.
It currently has a proposed budget for structure design, installation & de-installation, and public programme of £35,000 and is supported with in-kind support estimated at £22,500.
The project is planned to re-commence in May 2026.
The Pavilion is co-commissioned and funded by The Woodberry Down Culture Programme and Notting Hill Genesis, with in-kind support from Berkeley Homes.
The Woodberry Down Design Studio (working title)
The Woodberry Down Design Studio is a new youth-led design studio that has evolved out of the Woodberry Down Pavilion. The studio will develop, convene, and support a group of up to 20 young people living, working, or studying in Woodberry Down, who are 15–25 years of age.
The Design Studio will lead and undertake projects with a spatial or built environment focus in Woodberry Down, including public realm improvements such as benches, signage and other interventions, alongside activities such as mapping, planning, design and consultation.
It is envisaged that the Design Studio will be structured to undertake commissions, receiving funding or earning income, for this work.
Young people will be supported to creatively lead the studio’s work, learn new design and architecture skills, and gain accredited qualifications. The Studio will use the Pavilion as an engagement platform with the wider community in its work.
The studio is led by architects Yaya & Roy, with pastoral support and youth development undertaken by Young Hackney and the Edge Youth Club.
In 2026 the Studio will work on:
- The brand identity of the Studio
- The design and fabrication of the Pavilion canopy awning
- The mapping and planning of public realm improvements for the New River Walk
- The structure, planning and sustainability of the studio
- The Studio’s integration into pathways towards employment and study with Berkeley Homes and Hackney
- Aligning the work with the Hackney Youth Parliament and Skinner’s Academy’s collaboration with the Edge on active youth citizenship
The Design Studio is projected to start recruitment in April 2026 and run for an initial 12 months until April 2027.
The studio has a proposed budget of £40,000 that would include all activities, management and evaluation (excluding Pavilion redesign and siting), and is supported with in-kind support estimated at £22,000.
The WD Design Studio is co-commissioned and funded by the Woodberry Down Culture Programme and Notting Hill Genesis.
Next Steps
The WD Culture Programme and Notting Hill Genesis are in discussion with Hackney Co-operative Development regarding identifying and securing a studio space for the Design Studio to use as an office and base, and to support a more professional, creative and learning environment for the young people taking part.
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