PLACE/Ladywell, the UK’s first pop-up village, is a highly-innovative temporary housing and community/enterprise space.

The units in the building’s upper floors provide accommodation for 24 families registered homeless, while the ground floor has affordable mixed used spaces for local start-ups and creatives, along with a community cafe.

Using a ground-breaking construction method, PLACE/Ladywell was built more quickly– in just over six months – and with less expense than using traditional methods. All units exceed the current space standard requirements by 10 per cent.

The Lewisham Council scheme was devised in partnership with internationally-renowned architecture practice Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. It is just one of the ways in which the local authority is responding to the on-going high demand for housing in the borough as new-build and estate regeneration programmes are developed.

The intention is for the structure to remain in Ladywell for no more than four years, after which it will be deconstructed, moved and reconstructed elsewhere in the borough.