RSA Design Competition - Public Spaces, Safer Places

The Dove

Peter Hughes, a Part 1 Architectural Assistant at our head office in Sheffield, entered an RSA, RIBA and Home Office affiliated competition to re-design a public square in an undefined major European city, which had been completely destroyed after a horrific terrorist attack involving both Pedestrian and Vehicular delivered improvised explosive devices.

The Brief asked for a ‘phoenix from the ashes' in reply to the callous attacks upon the citizens.

Peter's response, however, detached itself from this concept. Instead of a brash, harsh and ‘revenge' orientated design; Peter focused on creating a peaceful, safe and welcoming environment that would effectively police itself without the need for a mass of CCTV cameras, bulky construction materials and security guards at every post. This approach took the form of ‘The Dove and Olive Branch': the ‘Dove' housing the cafes, residential, office and hotel aspects of the brief, as well as providing a screen onto which a projector beamed open-air viewings throughout the evening. The main concept to the project was the so called ‘Pocket Territories', which scatter the landscaped gardens. These created a variety of sized spaces which people called occupy as ‘their own'; but whilst still being viewable by all within the garden and the nearby building.

Initially starting with 96 entrants, Peter's design won the competition.

He was presented an award at the Home Office in London on the 7th May.

For further information regarding the competition please see: http://www.rsadesigndirections.org/projects/projects5.html

Our news article details the award ceromony: http://www.jeffersonsheard.com/news/2009/peter-hughes-wins-riba-competition