In 2010 there was no play space, outside sitting area or green space for the 750 residents living on the Samuel Lewis Trust Estate on Charterhouse Road in Hackney. For many years the site of the community hall was earmarked for a new housing development, resulting in the deterioration of the community centre and adjacent open spaces. The burst of the housing bubble and the financial crash in 2008 created the opportunity to re-open the vacant building and adjacent sites once again for much needed communal use. The VACAN LOT allotment created during the first phase of the project in 2010 had a ripple effect and resulted in the construction of a new entrance screen, multi purpose games area and outside gym completed in 2013. Together these improvements and the activities they enable have transformed the estate and created a sense of pride amongst residents.

After initial consultations with local residents What if: projects developed proposals for the setting up of a temporary allotment with 44 plots in the overgrown courtyard adjacent to the community centre. A timber deck with seating was designed to create a level surface for the VACANT LOT bulk bags that were used as growing containers. With limited amount of seed funding (£4500) the VACANT LOT allotment was constructed with the help of construction trainees and volunteers.

The second stage of the project, Charterhouse Road Club ,was initiated by local children and What if: projects with the aim of creating a safe play environment. Design elements that define the new character of the communal spaces had to be cost effective and allow for simple construction techniques. A new playground boundary and entrance screen, in combination with greening elements, new timber structures, an outside gym and a splash of color aim to give a new, positive identity and a new lease of life to the community centre site

Charterhouse Road Club is the result of the collaboration between many partners. The VACANT LOT programme initiated by What if: projects was the catalyst to the transformation of the site and involved the environmental charity Groundwork London, the housing association Southern Housing, local residents, volunteers and two construction trainees from Hackney College. Funding for this phase of the project was provided by the Big Lottery “Local Food” programme with match funding from the housing association.

The VACANT LOT allotment brought together local residents who became involved in the transformation and stewardship of the communal spaces. As part of the implementation process the What if team worked with a group of young people on a street art project in the VACANT LOT garden. Based on their enthusiasm proposals for the adjacent play spaces were developed and presented to the wider community at the opening of the VACANT LOT allotment.

Seed funding for the second stage of the project was subsequently provided by the housing association (2011) and the team successfully attracted match funding by the Mayor of London Fund and the Football Foundation (2012) for the works and for a sports programme.

Charterhouse Road Club has won the Sustainable Housing Award 2013 in the category Transformation and is shortlisted for the Urban Intervention Award Berlin 2013 in the category Built.