Our concept for the antepavilion was a ‘Bed for a Bed’. We proposed to provide a unique hotel room that, upon hire, would generate funds towards combating rough sleeping and hidden homelessness

The design developed with a view towards keeping the construction process simple and costs at a low. An environmentally sustainable timber frame, in-filled with hay bales to form a large, well-insulated rectangular volume, that is then carved and sculpted internally. The external and internal surface of the hay bales are then lime-rendered to become a giant art canvas for artists of Hackney. The small garden is planned as for use for public events during the day.

As part of the pavilion programme, we would invite two artists to create artworks on the rendered skins. The boat would thus offer a bold public graphic exterior as well as a unique visitor experience of a floating art hotel

The use of low-cost materials is of architectural interest beyond the issue of homelessness, with relevance to the wider debate over housing costs

Antepavillion