New community hub and workspace in Rotherhithe

10 March 2022

A vacant site on Albion Street has been transformed into a striking new hub offering low-cost workspace to local residents. The building's innovative structure can be demounted and relocated to other underused sites.

Southwark Council worked in partnership with Meanwhile Space to unlock the highly visible location opposite Rotherhithe Station while it waits for redevelopment. They have delivered a vibrant landmark to draw in the local community and new visitors while animating the high street at different times of day.

Sustainability was a key priority from the ground up – the existing foundations on the plot were recycled, meaning the project used minimal new concrete. Designed and built by IF_DO Architects and Weber Industries, the building is mostly made out of timber – the only 100 per cent sustainable construction material. It was built off-site, meaning the team had more control over how eco-friendly the construction process was. The building will occupy the site for the next 10 years. After this time, it can be disassembled and relocated anywhere.

The affordable workspace inside was developed specifically with supporting local entrepreneurs and start-up businesses in mind – at least 80 per cent of users will be Southwark residents and at least 50 per cent of tenants will be on their first workspace tenancy. Low-cost rent will be between 60-80 per cent of the market rate, supplemented by no deposits and flexible lease terms.

Local residents voted to call the space The Hithe – an Old Saxon word meaning ‘landing point’. They also helped inform the design and layout through consultation with local schools, churches, resident associations and other community groups.

In collaboration with local groups, The Hithe plans to create a gardening space that is open to the local community. Some suggestions put forward by residents so far include a vegetable or wildflower garden, landscaping workshops and planter building.

The Hithe compliments the council’s existing projects to revitalise Albion Street, including Albion Primary School and the Albion Street Civic Centre. The building creates a new focus for the area, sitting at a pivotal point between two strategic development sites: St. Olav’s square and Rotherhithe Gasometer.

Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Development, said: “We are delighted this striking new community landmark will give local entrepreneurs and small businesses access to affordable space to grow and share skills.

“Our vision for a fully de-mountable building that acts as a beacon for Albion Street has come to life, set to draw in new visitors and the local community alike. This sustainable hub can be redeployed to sites across the borough, meaning in time other areas can reap similar economic and social rewards.”

Eddie Bridgeman, Executive Director of Meanwhile Space, said: “Meanwhile Space is delighted to have delivered this local landmark building for the Albion Street area and is looking forward to basing our business here for the coming years. We are even more delighted to be at the forefront of delivering a demountable building which will enable us to occupy this site for the next ten year and then move the building on to another site when a new development opportunity for this site is developed.”

Al Scott, Director IF_DO Architects, said: “We are thrilled to see The Hithe completed – it’s been very rewarding working with Meanwhile Space and Southwark over the last four years to turn this forgotten site in Rotherhithe into a vibrant piece of community infrastructure. We are looking forward to seeing it activated by the many local business owners who will make it their own and bring yet more vibrancy to the much-loved Albion Street!”

In addition to Meanwhile Space, tenants include a social enterprise focused on getting kids active, an apothecarist, an architect, a filmmaker, a beauty entrepreneur and a sewing club tutor.

Page last updated: 23 November 2023