The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) and the Royal Docks Team (RDT) have launched the fifth and final edition of the Pews and Perches design competition, which will see 6 bespoke public benches delivered throughout the Royal Docks in 2024.
The competition is open to architecture and design students, recent graduates and emerging practitioners who are invited to deliver bench proposals that explore creative ways to use and reuse materials and take inspiration from the Royal Docks, its proximity to the water and the communities who live there.
Following the Mayor of London’s vision of London transitioning to a circular economy set out in the draft London Plan earlier this year, proposals should creatively embrace, explore and test circular economy principles in their design.
6 winning designs will be selected, with winners awarded £2,200, including a design fee of £500, to develop, build and install their bench in the Royal Docks.
Interested applicants will be invited to a drop-in session to get more information and support with their application. The deadline for proposals is by midday on 21 November 2023 via the online form here.
Eliza Grosvenor, Head of Programme, London Festival of Architecture, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the Royal Docks team on our fifth and final Pews and Perches competition this year. Forming part of our LFA2024 programme, this year focuses on what we can learn from the next generation of designers, by giving them the opportunity to test out and embrace circular principles in a live public realm project. We can no longer continue to design and create as we have been, and this project can play a role in how we can rethink ways of working with materials, spaces and processes – a mission we are very grateful to the Royal Docks for sharing.”
Dan Bridge, Programme Director of the Royal Docks Team said:
“The Royal Docks Team is delighted to collaborate once again with the London Festival of Architecture on the Pews and Perches competition. To date, in partnership with the LFA, we have supported 19 creatives in showcasing their talent and installing their unique designs across the Royal Docks. Every year, I have been amazed by the ambitious and innovative designs crafted by a diverse group of exceptionally talented aspiring architects and designers. The winning teams have consistently produced remarkable and thought-provoking benches, skilfully responding to both the project brief and to the distinctive history, heritage and landscape of the Royal Docks.
This year’s brief touches on one of the most pressing issues of our time. It will challenge the designers to think creatively about how the built environment can play its part in fostering a more sustainable London and I’m really excited to see what ideas come forward.”
