The Building Exploratory, Hackney

Polly Richards co-designed and was deputy director of the Building Exploratory a hands-on exhibition about the built environment of Hackney built by and for the local community.

The Building Exploratory is the only permanent hands-on exhibition about the built environment of Hackney, designed to appeal to adults and children of all ages. It is an early example of a participatory project, built with local artists and a large number of local voluntary residents, by and for the community of Hackney. Highlights of the exhibition included a giant model of Hackney, an interactive London jigsaw and a 10ft model of the demolished Holly Street tower block. Polly Richards co-designed and was deputy director of the Building Exploratory, Hackney working alongside founding director Polly Hudson and a small project team.