Establishing a space and refuge for the precariat worker of the City of London

The chosen site responds to and counters Broadgate’s expanding privately-owned complex by providing a space and refuge for the precariat worker. Located on the eastern fringe of the City, its access to Liverpool St. Station makes it the most accessible and efficient site for workers entering the City. To counteract the movement towards privatising public space, I questioned whether an ‘urban commons’ can be introduced into the City of London. The commons of the design project comes from the need of its invisible workers and what they need most, giving back to the people than to the City corporations.

Workers face high costs of childcare, in work poverty, economic insecurity and multiple zero-hour jobs. These workers are known as the precariat. A typical example of precariat workers include delivery drivers for multi-national companies such as UberEats - many are within the City's ‘gig-economy’. The proposal is provided for these workers by a new City Trade Union. The project is funded by CIL contributions from the construction of buildings at Broadgate. Essential spaces such as for microwaving food are provided for workers. Emergency accommodation is offered when workers really need it. A nursery provides daycare for children of City workers.

The infill site provided challenges, including building above existing Crossrail infrastructure at the back. A lightweight CLT and Glulam structure was therefore employed. The architecture of the proposal draws references from the City's Livery Halls, incorporating elements such as grand staircases and neoclassical proportions of the exposed timber columns at its entrance. It also complements the facades of the street. The proposal acts as a new form of Livery Hall - one for the precariat worker. The 'Great Hall' is given to workers offering various functions such as performances, debates for the trade union and markets. The space can similarly be hired out which helps fund the running of the building through notions of a circular economy. Operable doors make it permeable from the street, removing the vestibule and heavy stone enclosure found in livery halls. This is emphasised as the street paving continues inside. The basement provides cycle storage and a space for cyclists to fix their bikes. The ground floor offers toilets and showers. Once essential amenities of the commons, public toilets are becoming further difficult to find and is a problem the gig economy worker faces. Reintroducing public amenities incorporates further the proposition of developing a commons.

Due to the low-rise height of its immediate context, the proposal rises above the neighbouring buildings, so visitors can take advantage of the views on offer on the top floors. This provides a public function for the building. It takes notions from the privately-owned Sky Garden, where visitors can take the lift to the top. The café generates funding for the running of the building and is subsidised for workers. Unlike the Sky Garden, it is accessible to the precariat worker, and acts as the ‘public park’ they can quickly visit for lunch. The Conservatory takes inspiration from the Barbican.