Involving the Community
Bishops Square, Spitalfields
Completed in 2006, Bishops Square was part of a wider regeneration programme for Spitalfields comprising 1.6 hectares of public open space that now includes two new squares and restored historic streets, pedestrian routes and Spitalfields Market.
Teresa worked with the Spitalfields Development Group, Townshend Landscape Architects and Foster Associates to design a series of workshops that provided a space for the local community, who lived and worked in the area, to develop ideas for the landscape that were later integrated into what is now joyously used by everybody.
The finished square has attracted numerous awards including the ‘Best Built Project contributing to London’s Future’, in the 2005 London Planning Awards and ‘Best New Public Space’, in the 2007 London Planning Awards.
Finding the Community
St Mary Axe
To inspire the design for the redevelopment of these urban spaces and to ensure that the detailed design for both Phase 1 and the over all strategy for this important part of the City reflected the needs and aspirations of those who visit, live and work in the area, an extensive public consultation process was undertaken.
A series of workshops, drop in events and an expert led walkabout were designed, in collaboration with the client and the landscape architects, to encourage the public and stakeholders to get involved. These were held over a six-week period in May and June 2010.
As few people live in the area, no ready-made community existed so gathering interested people to consult with presented particular difficulties.
Workshops also needed to be short: no more than an hour to encourage participation from time-stretched city workers. These constraints induced significant pressures on the consultation design but they also generated an innovative approach.
Helping Clients use Space
Kitchen Dining Room in Epsom
Indoor-Outdoor Room in West Norwood
