People naturally begin to accumulate a multitude of objects around themselves within the buildings they inhabit. Homes become places of storytelling through the seemingly random items that are collected and kept in storage. For the initial project, the often awkward ‘in-between’ space of the attic was unpacked and reimagined as an archival museum that celebrated the homeowner’s accumulation of objects, transforming what may seem like ordinary everyday items by displaying them in a new, ephemeral light.

The theme of a multitude of personal objects continued into the main project, which was driven by research into Black British history as portrayed in existing institutions such as archives and museums. Unsurprisingly, this found that there is perhaps a serious lack of recording of these histories. The project focuses on a mixed-use site in Peckham that is dubbed locally as ‘London’s Little Lagos’ due to its rich and immersive links to Nigerian culture.

The design proposes a way in which people can celebrate these aspects of society that are usually ignored but are fundamental to Britain today. It does so by creating a community-led heritage centre in the roof space, intertwined with a new build terrace of residential and business spaces.