Urban Pioneers

The Architecture Foundation has just started its project in the Upper Lee Valley, in which a group of ten young people from Hackney, Haringey, Enfield and Waltham Forest will look at the relationship between architecture and water with architects, designers, photographers, environmentalists and filmmakers.

On 21 June, the Battersea Urban Pioneers met for the first time and were given an introduction to the history of the area by Andrew Saint from the Survey of London. They heard from David Twohig about Tresury Holdings’ plans for the Power Station and the broader scheme for Nine Elms, and took a trip up one of the Power Station Chimneys. From now until September, the eight Urban Pioneers will work with photographers, illustrators, filmmakers, architects and urban food producers to critically explore the redevelopment plans in this project focussed on the relationship between architecture and energy and transport. They will present their work at an event at the Power Station on 14 September. If you would like to attend, please email ruby@architecturefoundation.org.uk.

In April 2010, The Architecture Foundation partnered with the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust’s Architecture for Everyone programme to deliver a condensed Urban Pioneers programme looking at the development of Deptford Creekside. Focussing on sport and leisure, activities included design workshops with East, Witherford Watson Mann, David Kohn and RMJM architects, illustration and parkour workshops and a visit to the 2012 site. Supported by CABE and Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.

From December 09 – March 10, Six young people from Camden and Islington collaborated with The Architecture Foundation in a programme of creative workshops exploring the redevelopment of King’s Cross Central. Participants recorded interviews with broadcaster Alan Dein, made short films with Harriet Fleuriot, worked with architects including Squire and Partners, BDP and Public Works, took a trip to Lille with architecture critic Tom Dyckhoff and organised a final event with the help of Jefferson Communications. Supported by Heritage Lottery Fund, CABE, Eurostar and King’s Cross Central.

For its Summer 2009 Urban Pioneers education programme, Between the Bridges, The Architecture Foundation recruited a team of five local young Londoners who critically explored the architecture around London Bridge. The Urban Pioneers worked with creative practitioners including Gifford engineers, dallaspierce+quintero architects, Bankside Open Spaces Trust and spatial consultants Space Syntax.

Supported by More London, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, CABE, Better Bankside, Alford Hall Monaghan Morris and Bermondsey Community Council.

The Architecture Foundation’s autumn 2008 – spring 2009 education programme focussed on the Bankside Urban Forest, an urban design framework written by Witherford Watson Mann Architects for a partnership coordinated by Better Bankside. Participants worked with WWM, historian Ken Worpole, Bankside Open Spaces Trust, and David Lindo, The Urban Birder to explore this rich area and create a body of research. Supported by CABE, Better Bankside, Design for London and Volunteer Centre Southwark.