18 May 2010

London festival of architecture launches 'Love your street '

The London Festival of Architecture, the UK’s largest celebration of architecture taking place in the capital between 19th June and 4th July, has launched a citywide competition calling for Londoners and design teams to submit both existing and new projects around how to improve and enhance local streets and outdoor spaces.
The streets of London are our most significant public space but, residential or commercial, they can often be neglected, cluttered or generally lacking in love. Have you ever wondered down a road and thought why nothing is being done to clear it up, clean it up, improve it or make it better? If so, now is the time to put things right. ‘Love Your Street’ is looking for examples of spaces where communities and/or design teams have either completed improvements or have new plans in development. The competition is open to anyone, from individuals and community groups to architects and landscape designers.
Designed to unite the community and engage new audiences with the built environment, ‘Love Your Street’ will provide a platform for many of the groundbreaking urban improvement initiatives currently underway throughout the capital such as the ‘Civic Voice’s Street Pride’ and ‘Capital Clean Up.’
Shortlisted entries will be displayed at the NLA galleries as part of a Love Your Street exhibition during the London Festival of Architecture this summer. A leading panel of industry experts including Peter Murray, founder of the London Festival of Architecture, will judge entries and the winning submission will be showcased throughout the festival and receive a £500 cash prize.
“Love Your Street celebrates the role that architecture and urbanism play in improving peoples lives who live in London” said Peter Murray, LFA founder and director. “This year, we’re celebrating the capital as the ‘Welcoming City’ as we gear up and look towards the 2012 Olympics. By thinking about how we can improve our streets, support the environment, encourage more cycling and walking we can make the outdoor spaces and places in which we live much more enjoyable and amenable.”
All projects should be emailed to: loveyourstreet@lfa2010.org and received before 09.00 Friday May 28th. Entries should include: Status of Project, 100 words, 3 high-res images, location and postcode, cost of scheme, name of applicants. For images or further information contact Rory Scott or Sam Lopez at Caro communications on 020 7336 8488 or rory@carocommunictions.com or sam.lopez@carocommunications.com