Populo Living

An early start today at the Mayor of Newham's Big Budget Business Breakfast at UEL's Docklands Campus - made even better by the official launch of their Dialogue Cafe UK! ☕✨ Alongside top-tier coffee and pastries, we had the privilege of hearing from Hakan Elbir, Dialogue Hub's founder, who shared the organisation's mission and news of our exciting upcoming collaboration at Carpenters Estate. He also highlighted a sobering reality: only 37% of people who report BSL as their main language are employed, compared to 77% of non-disabled individuals under the Equality Act. We also heard from Victor, Dialogue Hub's Non-Executive Director and Head Barista, who took us through his inspiring career journey—an incredible testament to what true workplace inclusion can achieve. Huge thanks to the Dialogue Hub team for leading the charge in creating more accessible and inclusive spaces. We can't wait to see the Carpenters Estate 'Dialogue Express' take shape, and look forward to what’s next for London Borough of Newham! 🙌 #Inclusion #Accessibility #BusinessBreakfast #DialogueHub

We’re proud to announce that the Carpenters Estate Masterplan has been shortlisted in the Future Place category at the Pineapple Awards 2025! 🍍 The Pineapple Awards celebrate projects that make a meaningful impact on places and people, and this resident-led masterplan embodies just that. The transformative masterplan will: 🏡 Deliver more than 2000 new and replacement homes (50% affordable) 🫂 Prioritise community hubs and amenities in line with residents' wishes 🌳 Improve green spaces and parks across the estate, boosting biodiversity 🛠️ Retain and refurbish 40% of homes 💼 Create new retail, workspace, and commercial uses The Carpenters Estate Masterplan was co-developed with existing residents and our Community Wealth Building team alongside the talented folks at Tibbalds, CampbellReith, Proctor & Matthews Architects and Metropolitan Workshop LLP on behalf of London Borough of Newham. Thank you to LDA Design and XCO2 for landscaping and energy/sustainability reporting respectively, as well as make:good for leading community engagement initiatives that involve residents at every stage! A huge thank you to all our collaborators and residents who have shaped this vision for Carpenters Estate. Best of luck to all nominees! #CarpentersEstate #PineappleAwards #FuturePlace #CommunityLed #SocialValue The Developer and Festival of Place

House pattern books - can they hold the key to unlocking more and better housing - if done well and in addition to regular housing delivery? Anna Highfield's piece for the Architects’ Journal about New South Wales new pattern book approach makes for interesting reading, especially in the light that five British Architects entered the competition to pin down a NSW pattern. Congrats to Alex Ely from Mæ for making the shortlist! Architects will know of the strong Victorian and Georgian pedigree of a pattern book approach, but times have changed and the status quo can lead many to reject such approaches as too simple for our complex planning and development regime. But is simplicity really so bad, especially when we have a commitment to deliver 1.5bn new homes? Surely we need to be open to as many new ideas as possible, and pattern books could help unlock more homes, most efficiently if there were linked to planning. Populo is all about doing building better, and innovation can support that ambition. Rt Hon Rachel Reeves recently discussed zoning around transport hubs, and it feels like a time in history when new - and maybe some quite old - ideas should be considered as part of a rich housing mix to getting Britain delivering more homes at pace and with lower costs (pace being a prime motivator here). Check out the article and comment from Ben Bolgar MVO, Deborah Heenan Neil Murphy, Nigel Ostime and Meredith Bowles #patternbook #architect #housingsolution #planning https://lnkd.in/dd9YJ3zS

Was a pleasure to be invited to the Community Sip and Step at Sadler's Wells East 💃 Their new space is thoughtfully designed to bring people together through creativity and connection.    Great to see familiar faces from local organisations at the heart of Newham’s community. Spaces like this remind us of the importance of designing with people in mind, and creating environments that foster wellbeing and strong bonds in the London Borough of Newham!   #CommunityConnection #SadlersWellsEast #Newham #Stratford

We’re pleased to welcome Cumming Group UK & Europe and The Blue Iris Partnership as Project Managers for the redevelopment of Carpenters Primary School. This important project is a key part of the wider regeneration of the Carpenters Estate, designed to provide better homes and enhanced spaces for the people of Newham London. We’re looking forward to working together to create an inspiring and inclusive environment that supports the next generation to thrive, while addressing the demand for improved housing and facilities. #CarpentersEstate #EducationDevelopment

Great to see our upcoming Dialogue Express Cafe on Carpenters Estate highlighted by Newham Voices - a retired train carriage that will be transformed into a unique community hub operated by Dialogue Hub, dedicated to improving the lives of deaf and hard-of-hearing folks. Stay tuned for updates as this project progresses! London Borough of Newham Populo, Our Communities Dialogue Cafe UK #Inclusion #Transformation #CommunityLed

🎆✨ Happy New Year, Newham! ✨🎆 As the clock strikes midnight, we’re filled with gratitude for our incredible residents, colleagues, and friends who made this year so special 💛 Here’s to a 2025 filled with health, joy, and togetherness, as we continue to build more, and better, spaces for the residents of Newham to thrive 🏘️🌟 Wishing you all a year of happiness and connection – and don’t forget to stay safe as you celebrate! Cheers to 2025! 🥂🎇 #HappyNewYear #Hello2025 #NewhamCommunity #BuildingTogether

Finally! Day 12 of 12 Days of #Populo: Train Carriage Cafe Takes Shape 🚉☕ This year, we reached an exciting milestone at Carpenters Estate: the arrival of a retired train carriage, soon to be transformed into the Dialogue Express Cafe! Designed by Jan Kattein Architects, this unique meanwhile project reflects our commitment to sustainability and inclusion. The cafe will be operated by Dialogue Hub, supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing communities with employment, training, and workshops. Visitors will even be invited to order in British Sign Language (BSL) - an incredible way to foster connection and understanding 🍵 We’re excited to see this space become a vibrant hub for residents and visitors in 2025! London Borough of Newham Clare Neilson Stefanie D. #12DaysOfPopulo #DialogueExpress #CarpentersEstate #InclusiveSpaces #CommunityFirst

Day 11 of 12 Days of #Populo: Building Community at Carpenters Estate 💪 In November, we celebrated the opening of two incredible meanwhile projects at Carpenters Estate: the Steel Warriors outdoor gym and a new playground by Yes Make. To mark the occasion, we hosted a Street Art Community Day filled with murals, movement, and connection - everything from live painting with Global Street Art / London Mural Festival to breakdancing by Soul Mavericks and taster sessions at the new gym. Starting regeneration with community-first spaces is our way of putting residents at the heart of the process. A huge thanks to all our partners and everyone who joined the day! We’re already looking forward to hosting more events like this. 🎉💪 London Borough of Newham #CommunityFirst #CarpentersEstate #NewhamLiving #PopuloLiving #Regeneration

Day 10 of 12 Days of #Populo: Plaistow Hub was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Best Build to Rent category at the #BTRAwards by Love to Rent! One of our largest projects to date, Plaistow Hub brings 182 new homes across two buildings near Plaistow Station. With a gym, public square, and a café opening soon, it’s designed to create a welcoming and connected community. A huge thank you to our partners Pitman Tozer Architects and Vistry Group’s Countryside Partnerships, and everyone involved in delivering this transformative project. We’re proud to see Plaistow Hub recognised among the industry’s best! 🏡✨ London Borough of Newham Guy Powell MRICS #Housing #Plaistow #BuildToRent #CommunityLiving