The Story Of Home Sweet Dome

In 2007 Essex County Council launched their ‘Genius Loci’ – Spirit of Place -public art programme. To articulate Essex’s “Spirit of Place”, 15 projects were established for artists to work with local communities in a programme of creativity, development and regeneration.

Artist collective ‘The People Speak’ were commissioned to work with the residents of Craylands and Swan Housing to influence the master planning of the Craylands Estate – now turning into Beechwood Village.

‘The People Speak’ set to work finding out about what happened on the estate, the types of activities held and the ambitions and interests of the people who live there. Over the course of two years events and activities ranging from live, commentated Five-a-Side football tournaments to Talkaoke street-corner talk-shows took place and a pilot internet café was opened, all as a way to gather information that would help shape the end product (the public artwork) that would result from their time at Craylands.

It became clear to the artists that a focal point was needed – something and somewhere where people could meet, where groups could practice and events could take place; and so the seedling idea for “The Hacienda” – a pop-up inflatable public space was born.

Incorporating ideas and feedback from the community architects Penttinen Schöne came up with the design for “The Hacienda” and presented the finished piece to the people of the estate in September 2010.  At this event the people of the estate had the opportunity to vote for a new name for the inflatable structure.  The winning name was Home Sweet Dome.

Home Sweet Dome is a distinctive, welcoming, multi-functional shelter allowing easy access through the large entrances. Coloured Perspex windows provide views onto the activities taking place inside the homely interior with its curious wallpaper design – take a closer look to see what makes up that pattern!

The inflatable is now being used by groups on the estate to hold meetings and events and performances. Come and take a look.

If you are interested in hiring Home Sweet Dome, please see the hiring page to find out more.

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Hiring

Use Home Sweet Dome to add a bit of wow to your next event!

Home Sweet Dome for can be used for a variety of events such as fairs, festivals, product launches, parties and more. This custom designed portable structure provides a dynamic and unique community hub experience for your participants at your event.

The inflatable structure is able to host up to 200 people standing and 30-50 people seating depending on purpose.  The structure can be set up in 2 hours and will require a space of 20/20m wide by 3.3m high.  A 2 person crew from The People Speak will set up and de-rig the structure for you as well as provide technical support with the equipment for the Home Structure Dome structure.

Home Sweet Dome has been designed to be flexible to the users needs. The structure has three distinct elements: the inflatable, the flooring and the technical equipment,

Please note that the unit can be hired as a complete package or a mix of these elements can be hired depending on your intended end use.  Contact us at hello@thepeoplespeak.org.uk to find out more.

The full Home Sweet Dome package is available for a minimal hire fee in order to cover wear and tear to the equipment and the inflatable structure as well as set up/breakdown of the equipment and structure.

Community Benefit

To hire Home Sweet Dome out at the heavily subsidised community rate, you need to be a group or organisation running events for community benefit.

Priority will be given to groups based or working with Craylands/Beechwood Village, however the structure is able to be hired by other organisations, external to Craylands/Beechwood Village.

To hire Home Sweet Dome it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Simply fill out the brief form to the right or email us at hello@thepeoplespeak.org.uk . We will get back to you to discuss the details of your event.

2. After initial discussion download the HSD Hire Agreement and HSD Risk Assesment. Email or mail back a signed Hire Agreement to us at C/O The People Speak, 17 – 25 Cremer Street, London E2 8HD.

3. Send in deposit to confirm booking.

Conditions and Responsibilities

The criteria for hiring:

A representative in your group needs to have completed the training for installation and de-rig of the inflatable and be available throughout the process. If no one in your organisation has been trained a list of people who have undertaken the training, and are available to assist for a fee, is available on request.

Your organisation must have Public Liability Cover for running events and insurance cover for use and protection of the equipment

Once availability of dates has been confirmed, we will supply you and ask you to return:

1. A signed Hire Agreement
2. Details of your organisations current Public Liability Insurance
3. Details of your organisations current property insurance  or proved evidence you have taken out cover – further information is available on request.
4. A deposit along with the agreed fee
5. Details of the person trained to install and de-rig the unit
6. An evaluation form on completion of your event

Go to Forms to get all necessary forms.

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