‘Home Sweet Dome’

Client: Swan Housing & Basildon Borough Council
Creative Team: The People Speak
Location and Date: Craylands Estate, Basildon. 2011

Over a 24‑month period, the artist collective The People Speak collaborated with residents of the estate, establishing their base in a repurposed former laundry. This embedded presence allowed sustained dialogue, trust‑building, and co‑creation.

The collaboration culminated in Home Sweet Dome — an inflatable marquee co‑designed with residents and architectural practice Penttine Schöne. The Dome now serves as a flexible, welcoming venue for community events, celebrations, and gatherings across the estate.

Home Sweet Dome demonstrates the value of embedding creative practitioners within communities. By co‑designing with residents and architects, the project transformed a disused space into a flexible, shared asset that fosters participation, pride, and cohesion. The initiative illustrates how sustained collaboration and creative engagement can generate innovative solutions to strengthen social bonds and build resilient neighbourhoods.