Influenced by the argument that the coffee shop has become a barometer of degree of gentrification, Café ODYSSEY takes the form of a pop-up café highlighting localness and celebrating diversity in Peckham, southeast London, during its current period of transition.

 

The intervention is designed both for the newer and the more settled populations in Peckham, who have limited platforms to integrate and collaborate. The project has successfully enabled local people to open up dialogues and explore future collaborative opportunities with more upcoming socially engaged design projects.

 

The project involves collaboration with local initiatives, such as Pempeople, Peckham Vision and The Peckham Society, and leaves a legacy for them to continue building connections and sharing learning outcomes between higher education institutions and grass-roots communities.