Year in Review 2020

It has undoubtedly been a very different year at Here East. Like the rest of the world, we have had to navigate moments of uncertainty and find different ways to connect with each other while embracing the new normal.

Through it all, we are immensely proud to see how the Here East community adapted and mobilised, from Hobs 3D's 3D printed respirator valves for the NHS to the BADU Sports food bank supporting the local community throughout lockdown. Although it has not been the 2020 we'd imagined, we have seen a lot of incredible things happen at Here East this year.

We're proud to have launched the Here East Impact Report 2.0 back in summer demonstrating the instrumental role of the campus in continued job creation, innovation, and investment, as a result of a post 2012 Olympics vision. Eight years on from London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, we showcased the economic and social impact within our community and the local area.

Here are a few highlights from 2020:

We announced a collaboration with Beyond the Box Consultants, Here East and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to launch The People’s Pavilion – a competition to create London’s first community space designed entirely by young people. The project provides young people with a full programme of free skills workshops lead by industry professionals and creatives from across the London.

We were thrilled to be awarded Project of the Year, and Commercial Building of the Year at the inaugural RICS Social Impact Awards 2020. RICS Social Impact Awards recognises the built environment’s positive and transformational contribution to society, showcasing the best projects and initiatives from across the UK.

Sports Interactive, part of SEGA, announced the launch of a 2 year FTC studio Apprenticeship Scheme for local young people to join their team based at Here East. The games developer will create an effective entry point to both the studio and the games industry in general for talented local people aged between 18 and 21. This provides a career route opportunity for those who may not have otherwise go on to full-time further education.

Evolve, one of the world’s leading electric skateboard brands, joined a thriving community of companies at Here East working on the future of mobility. We welcomed Evolve Skateboards to Canalside to set up their London base.

Plykea chose Here East as the home for their new London flagship design studio, workshop and kitchen showroom space. Plykea is a company challenging the status quo of kitchen design, creating stylish plywood cabinet fronts and worktops for IKEA Metod kitchens.

Here East won best in the Commercial category at the Grand Final of the RICS Social Impact National Awards 2020. Here East was praised by the judges for its social and environmental impact, as well as the collaboration and innovation themes which are firmly rooted within the campus’ core vision.

We hope that 2021 presents an easier landscape with more opportunities for us to connect with one another face-to-face. We are working relentlessly to keep bringing about innovation and collaboration despite these difficult times. Stay tuned for what's to come in the New Year...