09 Nov Case study – Anthology Deptford

A creative partnership between a developer and emerging artists is helping to forge Deptford’s reputation as London’s edgiest district.

Anthology’s Deptford Foundry on Arklow Road is one of London’s newest developments, a 316-home development comprising eight buildings and one tower. On the site of a former metal foundry, its architecture is inspired by its history as a thriving centre of design excellence.

Deptford Foundry also has 32,000 sq ft of studio spaces provided by Second Floor Studio & Arts (SFSA) for over 450 artists, crafters, designers and makers, to nurture the area’s burgeoning creative industry base by creating a supportive environment in which artists can flourish, allowing for the time and space needed to research, develop, experiment and produce their work. The workspace will be managed and marketed by SFSA, a social enterprise company and studio space provider.

The enterprises include those practising ceramics, fine art, painting, leatherwork, sculpture and textiles. And to enrich the offer further, SFSA has opened the no format Gallery within Anthology’s Foundry arches, to exhibit the creatives’ crafts.

To perpetuate this legacy, SFSA are building 80 studios and a larger gallery all as permanent spaces and for the wider community, contributing 50% deposit on the studios, which will open next year.
Deptford is already home to a depth of creative business including bronze casting, galleries, studio workspaces, dance studios and jewellery makers, all supported by the presence and investment from Goldsmiths University at New Cross. The new creative spaces will attract further diversity and individuality to the area providing a social and cultural value to the Foundry residential development.

Matthew Wood, Founder Director from SFSA said: “Artists have long been part of Deptford’s thriving, creative and diverse community. The provision of the studio and workspace at Anthology Deptford Foundry will continue that tradition within the area, encouraging creative use of space by artists for many years to come.

“We are looking forward to continuing our work to widen participation in the borough, by developing and delivering a programme of community engagement projects and exhibitions specifically for Anthology Deptford Foundry Studios, its members, local residents and wider communities.”

Adam Gaymer, Executive Director, at Anthology added: “Working with the local authority and local community, the shared vision for Deptford Foundry was sustainable mixed use development. We have always wanted to ensure Deptford Foundry would contribute positively to the local neighbourhood and provide the much needed employment space and new homes.

“The Mayor of London’s study into artists’ workspace found that 3,500 artists in London are likely to lose their places of work in the next five years and with 35,000 graduates emerging from London’s Art & Design schools every year, demand for studio space is ever increasing across the city.

“We are really pleased to be creating this affordable employment space to help with this demand and for the talent of the future to use to support their works. We are excited to see the different types of artists flourish during their use of the studio space at our Deptford Foundry development.”

If you are curious to know more about the studios, please email contact@secondfloor.co.uk