London Met has appointed Gustafson Porter + Bowman to design a new public square within its Holloway campus which will transform both the campus and local area.
Date: 24 May 2017
Landscape architecture practice Gustafson Porter + Bowman are renowned for creating original and engaging spaces in urban areas. Their work includes Swiss Cottage Open Space in Camden, Woolwich Squares in Greenwich, the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in London’s Hyde Park, and the redevelopment of Nottingham’s Old Market Square - winner of 13 awards including a Civic Trust Award and the Design Council’s CABE Award.
The practice will now work with London Met students, staff and the local community to create an inspiring community space which has the potential to become an ‘Islington landmark’.
In 2015 London Met announced plans to invest £125m to redevelop its Holloway campus as part of its One Campus|One Community project.
Professor John Raftery, Vice Chancellor of London Met, said: “I’m delighted that the world class Gustafson Porter + Bowman will be working with us on this exciting and important project.
“We want the people of Islington to feel as much a part of London Met as our students and staff do. Creating a new shared public space at the heart of our campus will be a contribution to our community and better reflect our values as a university. We believe education should be available to all with the potential to succeed, and that universities must work with, and benefit their local communities.
“We believe this project has the potential to create a landmark space in Holloway, and I look forward to hearing from students, staff and local residents on their visions for the square.”
Gustafson Porter + Bowman were selected to develop the University’s central courtyard following a competitive tendering process, which included a panel of London Met staff and students.
Neil Porter, Founding Partner, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, said: “We are delighted to be working with London Metropolitan University and Design Engine on their masterplan to transform the Holloway campus. The intention is to unify the disparate collection of existing buildings by providing a new square that acts as the destination and heart of campus life.
The design will need to respond to the redevelopment of the surrounding building’s to ensure that the square forms part of a forward-looking and buzzing educational facility.
We look forward to working with the University and the local community to develop our design.”
The University will now hold a number of engagement events, including consultations with students, staff, and the public, to hear views on how the space can be best developed and the features they would like to see included.
Image: Concept sketch showing potential design of new square courtesy of Gustafson Porter + Bowman. A full consultation will shortly take place to develop ideas and designs for the square.
