Once a month I visit London, since we are doing a renovation refurbishment project in Clerknewell. Fifteen minutes away I have discovered in Shoreditch two gems: Village Underground and Boxparx.

Let me explain why you shouldn't miss them. Underground village takes place in two spaces: a renovated turn of the century warehouse and on top four recycled Jubilee line train carriages. So they have created a space that can host shootings, performances, concerts, club nights. They have found the balance to operate as a self-sustainable cultural organisation and social enterprise. Incredible but true: an affordable, environmentally stable space for artist in East Central London.

In the same hood, some blocks away you can find BOXPARX,opened in 2011 as a pop-up unique shopping destination; it will be opened for the next four years, after the success they had.

They built this odd ephemeral street mall, with striped and refitted shipping containers. They are filled with global and local brands packed with talent, innovation an attitude. I found three of them very interesting Playn, frame and lenses, Decorum, homeware and furniture and Newcomerwines, Austrian wine revolution. On the upper floor, they have different dining concepts, and open terraces.

Village Underground

Boxpark