The LFA and the City of London Corporation have announced the design teams shortlisted to create an eye-catching and interactive wayfinding trail through the City Cluster, to guide the City’s 8,000 residents, 513,000 workers and over 10 million tourists on a more pedestrian friendly and less polluted route through the area.
Architects, designers and artists were invited to submit a wayfinding design concept made up of a series of on-street interventions, celebrating the rich heritage that surrounds them every day, while constructing a clear yet engaging narrative between the area’s key architectural landmarks. Tying in with the ‘City Cluster Vision’ for an exceptional urban environment, the project also offered the opportunity to draw attention to pockets of otherwise under-used public realm – for example between buildings – as exciting destinations in their own right.
The five shortlisted teams are:
Chāo and Rūta are a multidisciplinary team with a unique skill set that allows the creation of user-centred and bespoke designs. Chao is a Chartered Landscape Architect with extensive project experience from conceptual design to implementation, whilst Rūta is a Senior Designer with experience in branding, digital design and user experience.
- HAC
Cameron Clarke, Hugh Diamond and Archie Cantwell are all architects originally from the UK who met at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2017. Now settled in Copenhagen, they have since collaborated on a number of design projects, going on to develop projects sited in China, Korea, Denmark, Ireland and the UK. Their practice balances an observant ethnographic sensitivity against bold, narrative-led concepts. With interdisciplinary at the core, they share skills across architectural design, with a particular focus on efficient construction detailing, film and model-making.
Patrick McEvoy is an architect at Prewett Bizley Architects. He undertakes small scale projects which offer an opportunity to take a playful and explorative approach to design. His work aims to celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make spaces memorable and engaging.
The ethos of London architecture studio Projects Office is fantastic pragmatism: they’re fearlessly design-led, resolutely people focussed. Founded by Bethan Kay, Megan Charnley and James Christian in 2015, they delight in projects which involve, celebrate, sustain and empower communities, at work, at play or in the city.
Upcircle is a sustainable multi-disciplined design studio, based in London, comprising interior designers, architects, and graphic designers. The studio was formed by three partners with the same passion for innovative, inspiring and sustainable design. Upcircle aims to develop conscious and efficient solutions taking into consideration the contemporary needs and the respect to the environment.
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The ‘Power Walks!’ competition is being judged by an expert panel, including:
- Francesca Perry (Deputy Editor, Blueprint magazine)
- Giles Radford (Highways Manager – City of London Corporation)
- Katherine Flemming (Representative of the Eastern City Partnership)
- Patrick Hegarty (Open Spaces Technical Manager – City of London Corporation)
- Rob Timmer (City Public Realm Project Manager – City of London Corporation)
- Tamsie Thomson (Director, London Festival of Architecture)
- Tanya Parkin (Associate Director, Eric Parry Architects)
Up to two winning teams will develop a fully costed, feasible design that can be installed in time for the London Festival of Architecture 2020, subject to planning consent. The total project budget is £44,000 +VAT (per winning team).
Tamsie Thomson, director of the LFA, said:
“This June the City of London becomes a showcase for global design talent thanks to the London Festival of Architecture, with projects that demonstrate how design can improve our experience and enjoyment of the city around us. This competition is an excellent example of how architecture and design talent is key to giving power back to people as they explore currently under-used, alternative routes through City, and discovering the otherwise often overlooked gems of our built environment.
I’m thrilled that our continuing partnership with the City of London Corporation will help transform the experience and understanding of the City Cluster for residents and visitors, and to showcase the transformative impact of good design.”
Alastair Moss, Planning and Transportation Committee Chair at the City of London Corporation, said:
“With significant employment growth predicted for the City Cluster, we are encouraging the creative transformation of the public realm to engage workers, residents and visitors with their surroundings. These shortlisted teams offer bold ideas on how to move pedestrians through more suitable, less polluted streets and walkways. We look forward to developing world-leading wayfinding concepts with the winning teams. The City Corporation is committed to delivering a first-class environment for people to enjoy as the Square Mile continues to evolve.”
