housing
Owen Williams, 1935
St Mary's Road, SE15 2EE
Grade II* Listed Modernist building, famously described by Walter Gropius as "an oasis of glass in a desert of brick". Originally built to house 'The Peckham Experiment' an innovative health centre in the 1930s. It was converted to private dwellings in 2000, retaining the indoor pool. Join residents and members of the legacy organisations alongside members of the RIBA and Southwark Archives.
Canada Water
New Cross Gate, Queen's Road Peckham
36, 78, 136, 436, 171, 177, P12, P13
The Pioneer Centre is on St Mary's Road, a few minutes walk from Queens Road Peckham
There is a lift to the pool level. The apartment featuring the exhibition is ground floor and has step free access. Free street parking
A community proud of the buildings history. We will show visitors the key spaces and an engaging exhibition hosted by experts on the history
Guided tour
11:00–12:00
Meet and greet at the entrance on the hour. Tours of the grounds and communal areas of the building. Exhibition in one of the apartments.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
12:30–13:30
Meet and greet at the entrance on the hour. Tours of the grounds and communal areas of the building. Exhibition in one of the apartments.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
14:00–15:00
Meet and greet at the entrance on the hour. Tours of the grounds and communal areas of the building. Exhibition in one of the apartments.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
11:00–12:00
Meet and greet at the entrance on the hour. Tours of the grounds and communal areas of the building. Exhibition in one of the apartments.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
12:30–13:30
Meet and greet at the entrance on the hour. Tours of the grounds and communal areas of the building. Exhibition in one of the apartments.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
Guided tour
14:00–15:00
Meet and greet at the entrance on the hour. Tours of the grounds and communal areas of the building. Exhibition in one of the apartments.
How to book
Please create a free visitor account to book your festival tickets.
This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the building of the iconic Pioneer Centre, home of the world famous Peckham Experiment. Here a pioneering experiment into health and well-being were explored in innovative and ground-breaking ways. Take the chance to visit the building to be shown around by some of the passionate resident community. There will be an exhibition on the history of the building including films and photography. There will be opportunity to meet with members of the legacy organisation to learn more about the Peckham Experiment and to talk about health and well-being in the 2025. The exhibition will also feature some of the original and reproduction copies of the original bespoke furniture designed by Kit Nicolson.
There will be opportunity to meet with members of the Pioneer Health Foundation who have looked after the story of the Peckham Experiment and have great knowledge and connection to the story.
Members of the new resident organised legacy organisation the Peckham Experiment CIC will also be in attendance to share the newly launched website and social media platforms. We are keen to engage with people about the history and talk about what happened in the Pioneer Centre means for the future.
