Jun 6 2006
Exciting alternative design proposals for King’s Cross by young London students will be exhibited at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), 66 Portland Place, London, W1, from 16-24 June. The exhibition, Architects in Residence: King’s Cross, is part of Architecture Week (16-25 June).
From new designs for a skatepark in the middle of the King’s Cross Triangle, to creative ideas for branding within the King’s Cross area, the Architects in Residence exhibition results from an innovative RIBA Trust and Arts Inform programme which has partnered 14-19 year-olds in six schools and colleges with six leading architecture practices to come up with alternative visions for the vast King’s Cross redevelopment. Each of the architecture firms involved in the project has been working on real proposals for the site.
Other interesting proposals by the students range from a huge model of the King’s Cross Goods Yard that emits sounds and smells evoking the past and future of the site, to bus stop designs based on major London landmarks. Much of the work reflects the diverse nature of the local community.
The best student work will be awarded at a special ceremony on Wednesday 21 June at the RIBA at 3.45pm. Students will get the unique opportunity to present their ideas for the future of King’s Cross directly to the developer, Roger Madelin of Argent. Other judges will include Baroness Blackstone, Chair of the RIBA Trust and Jo Harding, Head Teacher of Plumstead Manor School.
Speaking about the exhibition, Tessa Blackstone, Chair of the RIBA Trust Board said:
"The quality and diversity of the work illustrates the depth of understanding and passion these pupils and students have about their local environment and community.
"This initiative has shown how much young people have to say about the built environment around them, particularly when they are given the tools and confidence to share their ideas. The initiative has also demonstrated the contribution that architects working in schools can make."
The Architects in Residence initiative aims to build closer links between the architecture profession and schools. The six school/architect partnerships will be used as a case study for a series of innovative resources including the first ever national register of architects trained to work in schools. The programme will also develop Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training modules for architects in the necessary skills required to work with school teachers in the delivery of inspiring school based projects on architecture.
The six school/architect partnerships participating in the pilot Kings Cross project are:
These projects are supported by the developer Argent (King's Cross) Limited.