LJ Works Nominated for Design Award: A Step Towards Lambeth’s 2030 Borough Plan
In an exciting development, LJ Works, a community-led workspace project located in Gastineau Yard, Loughborough Junction, has been nominated for a prestigious architectural award. This nomination highlights the remarkable transformation of an underused space into a thriving creative hub, made possible through a close collaboration between Lambeth Council and the
local community.
This innovative project, designed by the renowned London architecture firm Architecture 00 in collaboration with the Public Works Group, has received widespread acclaim for its responsiveness to local public interest and its dedication to inclusivity and equity.
The LJ Works site now houses a diverse range of local businesses, makers, and community-growing initiatives. It boasts two state-of-the-art buildings offering studios, co-working spaces, and workshops catering to the needs of the local creative community.
LJ Works has earned a nomination in the Community and Faith Project category of the prestigious Architects Journal awards, a testament to its outstanding planning and design.
Councillor Jacqui Dyer, Cabinet member for Inclusive Economy and Equalities, expressed joy at the nomination, saying, “I am delighted that LJ Works has been nominated for such an esteemed award. It is terrific and validates the community’s hard work, which has led the way for over a decade.”
She continued, “The council is proud to deliver much-needed inclusive workspace in Loughborough Junction that was badly needed. It already provides a lifeline for local people who make, create, and are at the forefront of sustainable food production.”
The LJ Works site comprises two buildings, offering a blend of workspace and local fruit and vegetable growing in the surrounding grounds. This area was previously vacant council-owned land before being transformed into the Loughborough Farm in 2013, where residents could grow food.
Lambeth Council actively collaborated with local residents to form a steering group to develop plans for LJ Works, extending Loughborough Farm’s success while supporting makers and designers by providing low-cost workshops and co-working spaces.
Presently, the site is managed by Meanwhile Space, with the long-term vision of transitioning management to a local organization or consortium. One building is dedicated to studios for local creative entrepreneurs, while the second houses workshops, a co-working space, and food-and-drink-based social enterprises like Old Spike Roastery and Planted.
LJ Works is a remarkable example of how community-led projects can contribute to Lambeth’s broader 2030 plan for improved equity and inclusiveness, aligning with the vision of the Lambeth Now department, which is focused on creating a more inclusive and thriving community for all its residents.