Focusing Interactive Space

Jake Parkin, MArch (Year: 5)

The proposal is for an alternative centre of social engagement in Southwark. How do we counteract the over-curation of the city? A social focus, built of multiple forms of focus brought together, adding space between existing structures. It negotiates between non-exclusive social groups in Elephant and Castle and creates a shared public structure with a layered geometry to encourage social interaction. Adding four layers to the site: a linear physical structure at ground level, three civic courtyards, projected image spaces and a redrawn territory with neighbouring spaces such as the Southwark playhouse, Ministry of Sound and Crown Court. With no set program or governing body, it is filled in and consumed by the city, aligning with and intensifying the active enterprise quarter drawn and funded by Southwark Council, counteracting the current Delancey E&C masterplan to its’ South. Creating a horizontal complexity at street level, therefore non-exclusive, public and diverse. Learning from Belfast, the City of London and Southwark, can focusing interactive space play a greater role in counteracting the over curation of the city?