Village Scale
Located at 1923 Fernwood Road in Victoria, BC, this Edwardian Commercial block (built 1909) serves as the "living room" for the neighborhood. Distinct from the larger community center ("Big Fernwood"), Paul Phillips Hall and the Little Fernwood Hub offer an intimate, storefront-oriented space that blends arts, activism, and community gathering.
Activist Roots
Named after Paul Phillips (1933–2012), a pioneer of the cooperative housing and food security movements, the venue operates on a "low barrier" mandate. This ensures affordable access for grassroots groups, ranging from punk shows and experimental theatre to political solidarity meetings like Cafe Simpatico.
The "Black Box"
The facility centers on a 60-seat black box theatre, the long-time home of Theatre Inconnu. Despite its small footprint, it is a fully equipped performance space with a professional lighting grid and PA system, serving as a critical testing ground for emerging artists across the region.
"Third Place" Identity
The venue features large storefront windows that allow activities like yoga and art workshops to be visible from the street, reinforcing its function as a transparent "Third Place" where the boundary between public and private space is dissolved.