Main Gallery
The Main Gallery hosts two exhibitions, one curated by The Building Centre and one by New London Architecture.
Adjacent to the Main Galleries is a display by the London Development Agency detailing investment in infrastructure in the capital. Opening on 24 November the Farringdon Urban Design Study will be the second exhibition in the series.
engagingaging
10 January – 19 February 2011
From 10 January 2011 The Building Centre will be playing host to an exciting series of events including a workshop and an exhibition centred on the theme of ageing and identity. The work represents an international collaboration between Sheffield Hallam University in the UK and Chang Gung University in Taiwan and forms part of a much larger research project comparing the experiences of people growing older in Taiwan with those of individuals in the UK.
A collection of artefacts, STIGMAS, designed by Paul Chamberlain (MdesRCA) that aim to raise awareness and prompt reflection on issues of aging will be on display. Workshop participants and people viewing the exhibition will be invited to explore a range of issues in relation to this broader theme including stigmas, identity, the meaning of objects, place and space.
The exhibition is currently on show at the Museum Of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Studio in Taipei until 12 December 2010, where it has received a considerable amount of attention. A short video of the lively workshop which took place just before the exhibition opened can be viewed on the MOCA website: http://www.mocataipei.org.tw/mocastudio/exhibition/show23/info23.htm Further details can also be found on Sheffield Hallam University's Lab4Living website: http://www.lab4living.org.uk/engagingaging-exhibition-at-moca-studio-taipei
Professor Paul Chamberlain, head of Art and Design Research at Sheffield Hallam University and Principal Investigator of the work said, 'the project has provided opportunity for older people to participate and help us better understand the issues of ageing that might inform the design of future products and living environments to enhance quality of life in later life. The collaboration has provided an opportunity to reflect on the cultural aspects of ageing'. The project has been supported by the British Council's PMI CONNECT programme.
For further information contact: Paul Chamberlain
Farringdon Urban Design Study
The proposed arrival of Crossrail at Farringdon in 2018 and improvements to the Thameslink rail service will have a significant impact to this unique part of London over the next 15 - 25 years.
Farringdon has transformed itself successfully over the past fifteen years to become one of London’s design and creative industry centres. The improved public transport capacity and high speed links to airports and major railway stations will provide
an interchange between Crossrail, the Thameslink service and London Underground.
A design study was commissioned by the London Development Agency’s Design for London team to identify the many opportunities in the area. The main objective of this study is to set out strategies and recommendations on how to integrate public transport interchange, develop open and green spaces and support high quality developments whilst maintaining the areas’ original character and heritage.
A number of objectives were outlined for Farringdon which underpin the vision, developed by East with Alan Baxter Associates and Locum to:
- Increase synergy between uses, places and stakeholders
- Create an integrated public transport interchange and movement strategy
- Exploit the full potential public realm opportunities
- Capitalise on new developments and uses
- Make Farringdon more sustainable
The London Development Agency, in its role to promote the economic development of London, has been working with the following Client team to formulate a long-term urban design vision for Farringdon:
- London Borough of Islington, London Borough Camden, City of London
- Crossrail and Transport for London
- English Heritage and the Greater London Authority, led by Design for London
Invigorating the richness of places and uses in and around Farringdon, in an incremental manner, is key to its future role between the East End and the West End of London, in between the City and Kings Cross.
Main Gallery Archive