Many readers of this blog will be familiar with the Serpentine Gallery's annual pavilion project, which this year saw a temporary structure by Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architect Peter Zumthor take residence in Kensington Gardens over the summer months. Providing a 'garden of tranquillity' for frazzled Londoners, Zumthors structure has been one of the must-see events of the summer, but pavilions aren't just for a metropolitan elite, as the structure pictured above in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, shows.

Designed by Sarah Considine and Melanie Bax the Cluny Summer Pavilion is a temporary, demountable timber structure, which has become a social hub for residents of the Cluny housing estate, and has hosted a series of community events conceived and organised by local people over the summer.

Located in a corner of parkland at the centre of the estate, the structure, which is made of plywood, has been used as a shelter, an informal stage, a casual cafe, park bench and climbing frame, among other things.

It's all part of a social initiative called We ? the Suburbs, which aims at providing activities to occupy young people over the summer weeks, including events staged in partnership with Connexions Integrated Youth Support Service. One notable event even saw a recreation of Southend beach complete with sand and donkey rides.

With the nights beginning to draw in, the pavilion will soon have had its time in the sun, but its simple construction means is can be easily dismantled and erected again next summer.