The RUSS Community Hub was built in 2019 with the support of nearly 100 volunteers, crowdfunding and public money. It includes a significant amount of reclaimed materials, including most of the structure, as well as the windows, doors and flooring. The construction was to a high standard and the Hub has received a final Building Control certificate.
Since opening, the Hub has been well used by groups from within RUSS, including future residents and the RUSS School, as well as the wider community, despite the impact of Covid restrictions.
The Hub has also been the venue for public exhibitions and talks as part of the London Festival of Architecture and Open City’s London Open House. In 2021, RUSS was shortlisted for the Open City Urban Stewardship Awards, the only British prize to celebrate long-term sustainable urban development practices. The Hub was open to the public in September 2021 as part of a strand of the Open House festival celebrating the prize.
In 2022, RUSS is offering ‘hot desk’ spaces at attractive rates, providing flexible and collaborative workspace with a high-speed internet connection. Preferential hire rates for the space for local neighbours and associated organisations will continue to be available.
The Hub was originally described as a temporary building, but due to the anticipated ongoing demand for the space, and to support sustainability with regards to the embodied carbon of construction materials, RUSS has sought consent from Lewisham Council to make the building permanent. No physical changes, type of use or amendments to the times of operation are proposed. Current restrictions on parking for users will remain in place.
In July 2022, Lewisham Council granted a ‘Non-Material Amendment’ (application number DC/22/126692) to remove the word ‘temporary’ from the description of the hub. RUSS has applied for a ‘Minor Material Amendment’ to make the building permanent. You can view and comment on the application using the application number DC/22/127012 via the ‘find and comment on planning applications’ button at https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/planning.
Last update: 11 August 2022
