Gathering-In-Action: The Activation of a Civic Space

Abstract The Grange Pavilion project began in 2012 when residents of Grangetown, Cardiff began to consider what they might do to act as a catalyst for the redevelopment of a former Bowls Pavilion vacated following funding cuts under austerity budgets. In a context of then Prime Minister David Cameron’s Big Society speech, the Localism Act 2011, and the launch of Cardiff Council’s Stepping Up Toolkit encouraging community groups to form and take over council services and assets, residents understood the task of activating a civic space as something which might become an “all-consuming project.” This paper reflects on eight years (to date) of gathering, valuing, and preparing for the intended and unintended consequences of taking on a small civic space, and critically considers the role of architectural education and practice within a Community Asset Transfer.