Beacon Garden

In 2017 collective practice They Are Here were commissioned to transform the former car park behind The White House into a community garden. They aim to create a garden environment that provides a ‘residency’ space for multiple species, mirroring The White House as a residency site for artists and echoing the creation of the Becontree housing estate. A series of structures will be made that house and support the residency of different species (including insects and birds) and robots. Each micro-structure will be designed by a different architect of world-class standing, so the garden evolves into a ‘micro-architecture’ park.

In 2018 they worked with local participants interested in gardening, permaculture and construction. Activity included a mushroom log workshop led by permaculture expert Graham Burnett, concrete poetry authored by The White House Poetry Group and drop-in gardening sessions. This led to They Are Here creating a working design for the garden based on theirs and the community’s ideas, as well as Graham Burnett’s expert advice; resulting in a list of exciting plant species to be grown.
They Are Here held a community consultation workshop that enabled participants to trace over their design; moving, removing or suggesting additional elements.