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A City of London Parklets

Location: 1 St Martin Le Grand, London EC1A 4NP, West Smithfield Rotunda, Billiter Street
Date: 2019
Status: Temporary
Client: City of London Corporation

Three miniature landscaped spaces in the City were the result of a competition organised by the LFA in partnership with the City of London Corporation in 2019. The competition was intended both to showcase fresh design talent, and raise important questions about the boundaries between the individual and public realm within the city. Architects, designers and artists were invited to submit a design proposal for a bespoke public parklet to transform an unused kerbside space into a place to rest, relax and admire the City – bringing additional life, greenery and well-designed pedestrian amenity to the City’s streets. 






Winners


The London Cablet by Fatkin 

The London Cablet © Luke O’Donovan

As the era of fossil-fuelled transport draws to a close, what happens to our vehicles at the end of their useful lives and to the spaces they occupy in our cities? Fatkin took a decommissioned diesel black cab and peeled it open to reveal a public place for sitting, relaxing and playing. Hardy pollution-absorbing planting provided a habitat for pollinating insects and adds colour to the street. 

Fatkin is an emerging architectural practice based in West London. Founded in 2014, the team offer a dynamic, flexible approach to each project. Working across a range of typologies and scales throughout the UK, they have significant experience delivering aspects of masterplan visions for revitalised public realms, residential and transport nodes.

 

Pavement Art Gallery by Patrick McEvoy 

Pavement Gallery © Luke O’Donovan

Throughout London, York stone slabs form a canvas for pavement artists. These artists draw directly onto the pavement and their illustrations only exist for a short time. Presenting flagstones on a series of timber easels, The Pavement Art Gallery enables passers-by to create their very own pavement art using the chalk provided.

Patrick is an architectural designer who undertakes small scale public interventions; his work celebrates the idiosyncrasies that make spaces memorable and engaging. The gallery was made with the help of EWM Bespoke Interiors, EWIPro, Marshalls Paving, Solid Geometry Structural Engineers, University of Westminster and Prewett Bizley Architects.

 

Rocks and Reeds by PARTI 

Rocks and Reeds © Luke O’Donovan

Using London’s history as a marshland as inspiration, Rocks and Reeds mixes local landscape with ecological construction and playful, flamboyant architecture. Material taken from an adjacent demolition works has been reused to create a whimsical bench and planter, while a collection of tall grasses and wild flowers filter the air to tackle localised pollution caused from the construction site and a nearby road.

PARTI is an emerging architecture and design practice. Formed in 2015 by Eleanor Hill and Tom Leahy, the London-based studio is working on a range of projects locally and internationally. This includes a rural hotel in Australia; a mixed-use scheme in the Californian desert; and residential projects in the UK. Rocks and Reeds was made with the help of Elizabeth Tyler, IOTA Garden and Keltbray.

More Competitions.