A competition has been set up for £200,000 of improvements to the river frontage in Kingston.
In collaboration with the Creative Youth charity, Kingston First and Kingston University, the council is to invest the money to transform the river frontage around John Lewis and Kingston Bridge.
Nazeya Hussain, executive director of place at Kingston Council, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for anybody interested in urban design. You may be an established architectural practice. You might be a start-up design studio or a student with great ideas about how our riverside space can be more animated, fun and interesting.
“We are keen to hear from locally-based practices and individuals, as well as under-represented groups.
“We want to create a flexible and animated public space that encourages exploration and appreciation of the riverside and town, supports cultural and creative events, accommodates pop up activity such as markets, workshops, performance and displays, and is environmentally sustainable and accessible to all.”
In Autumn 2020, a partnership of the council, the university, Kingston First and Creative Youth, was granted the cash from The Mayor of London’s Getting Building fund which was designed for public realm improvements.
Kirsten Henly, chief executive for Kingston First, said: “This design competition is an exciting example of the ‘Re-imagining Kingston Town Centre’s Streets and Spaces’ strategy being brought to life to improve the town centre experience.
“This is an opportunity to make a valuable contribution to improving and better connecting this length of Kingston’s riverside and we are keen to hear from up and coming landscape architecture and design teams, as well as established firms.
“We’re looking forward to receiving creative responses to the brief celebrating the heritage of the area and providing an improved public realm for people to explore and enjoy.”
Robin Hutchinson, chair of Creative Youth, said: “This is a real opportunity to provide a visual progression to and from the green spaces of Canbury Gardens and the town centre riverside.
“It can become an attractive and engaging public space for enjoyment, activity and relaxation, making the most of its location next to the Thames. It can bring energy and animation next to the bridge and draw together what will be the new Factory of Futures and the town centre.”
The final date for competition entries is 12pm May 21.
Visit https://creativeyouthcharity.org/take-part/kingston-riverside-public-realm-design-competition/
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