Urban Riches 2: Back to Front
Bethnal Green, London, UK
In Bethnal Green, Studio 2 focused on the large number of (ex) local authority housing blocks within the area. Although generously designed in lots of ways, many of these buildings have ended up turning inward and away from the street, leaving their relationship to the city lacking. The studio explored the area, identifying these ‘back-to-front’ conditions, and the many left-over spaces that this form of urban planning has resulted in. After carefully recording these sites, proposals were made that sought to invert these conditions. Projects aimed to re-situate the buildings as very much part of the street, while introducing non-residential amenities that offer something other to this part of the city.
Teaching partner: Colin O’Sullivan
Student work: Joanna Ciecinska, Jessica Hlavackova, Aleksandra Karolina Miarka
Bethnal Green, London, UK
In Bethnal Green, Studio 2 focused on the large number of (ex) local authority housing blocks within the area. Although generously designed in lots of ways, many of these buildings have ended up turning inward and away from the street, leaving their relationship to the city lacking. The studio explored the area, identifying these ‘back-to-front’ conditions, and the many left-over spaces that this form of urban planning has resulted in. After carefully recording these sites, proposals were made that sought to invert these conditions. Projects aimed to re-situate the buildings as very much part of the street, while introducing non-residential amenities that offer something other to this part of the city.
Teaching partner: Colin O’Sullivan
Student work: Joanna Ciecinska, Jessica Hlavackova, Aleksandra Karolina Miarka