The Gantry at Here East

A new creative community

The vast steel structure behind the Olympic Park’s former broadcast centre has been joyfully repurposed as a quirky ensemble of 21 affordable, Wiki-House studios, enabling local creatives to thrive.

We were inspired by historic Cabinets of Curiosity, which collected seemingly unrelated artefacts that defied categorisation to create a 21st century version referencing the rich creative heritage of the local area around Here East.

We saw potential in the structure’s ultra-rational grid, to insert objects onto its enormous decks – 21 individual artists studios, in a chequer board pattern, plugged into walkways running down its central spine.

Portrait of a tenant at Here East Gantry

The Trampery on the Gantry demonstrates how innovative architectural techniques can bring this unique space to life.

Wiki-House is an open-source design and construction toolkit, which uses a standardised kit of parts but enables a high degree of customisation in size, shape, openings, cladding and plug + play equipment. We worked with Wiki-House to adapt the system and create bespoke studios that reflect the makers, moments, inventions, and irregularities that shaped the local area.