Heart of East Greenwich
Cultural Masterplan
Greenwich, London
2007 - ongoing
CLIENT:First Base
PARTNERS:
MAKE Architects
Futurecity worked with MAKE architects and developer First Base to provide a groundbreaking cultural strategy blueprint, which set out frameworks for public and private sector investment for a scheme of 800 new homes: the 'Heart of East Greenwich'.
Taking Sustainability as its theme, the proposal looked to combine forces with both local and international artists, an existing biodiversity agenda, and the wider community at large. The project focussed on promoting awareness that the new Greenwich 'Heartland' area is a vibrant place to live and work, destined to become a leading centre of conservation, creativity and innovation.
The cultural strategy for the Heart of East Greenwich site promotes the advantages of a well-designed public realm. At the hub of the Heart of East Greenwich, a focal public square provides a large public space for cultural events and exhibitions and a vibrant meeting-place for the whole area. The space will be designed to accommodate temporary cultural events, festivals and markets in order to attract the best of both boroughs, such as the 'Greenwich & Docklands' festival. It also houses 'The Wave', an iconic digital matrix lighting artwork in the form of a ten metre long undulating sculpture, placed above the scheme threshold to create a stunning welcome experience.
An innovative public art programme invites the community to collaborate with artists on the design of public seating, a child play-area, lighting and signage for the square and surrounding public areas. In addition, the space has the potential to show permanent and temporary artwork commissions by local and national artists. The entry square is destined to become a real place for the artists, musicians, performers and designers who live or work in Greenwich.
Taking Sustainability as its theme, the proposal looked to combine forces with both local and international artists, an existing biodiversity agenda, and the wider community at large. The project focussed on promoting awareness that the new Greenwich 'Heartland' area is a vibrant place to live and work, destined to become a leading centre of conservation, creativity and innovation.
The cultural strategy for the Heart of East Greenwich site promotes the advantages of a well-designed public realm. At the hub of the Heart of East Greenwich, a focal public square provides a large public space for cultural events and exhibitions and a vibrant meeting-place for the whole area. The space will be designed to accommodate temporary cultural events, festivals and markets in order to attract the best of both boroughs, such as the 'Greenwich & Docklands' festival. It also houses 'The Wave', an iconic digital matrix lighting artwork in the form of a ten metre long undulating sculpture, placed above the scheme threshold to create a stunning welcome experience.
An innovative public art programme invites the community to collaborate with artists on the design of public seating, a child play-area, lighting and signage for the square and surrounding public areas. In addition, the space has the potential to show permanent and temporary artwork commissions by local and national artists. The entry square is destined to become a real place for the artists, musicians, performers and designers who live or work in Greenwich.