What_if_projects

In February 2013 What if: projects Ltd have been commissioned by the London Borough of Havering for the improvement of Rainham station's forecourt. The project creates a new hub for cyclists and pedestrians visiting the historic Rainham Village or heading off into the wilderness of Rainham Marshes'and the Thames Estuary. The development of proposals involved the major stakeholders C2C and Network Rail. Works is currently on siteand due for completition in August 2014.

Peckham Rye CO-DESIGN

What if: projects have recently started a collaboration with Ash Sakula (lead consultant) working on the Peckham Rye CO-DESIGN project with focus on the environment of Rye Lane Station. Info

PLANNING with the Carpenters Neighourhood

What if: projects are working with the Carpenters Tenant Management Organisation, the Resident Steering Group and the local community on improvements for the estate and the Greater Carpenters Neighbourhood. More info

Carpenters Estate is part of London OPEN HOUSE
Saturday 20th September, 1-5pm
Join us for an afternoon of FREE views across the Olympic site and the city from the 22nd floor of the 1960's tower block Dennison Point on the Carpenters Estate.

PECKHAM / RYE LANE ORCHARD

In April 2014 the Octavia's orchard (orignially at the Southbank) was intstalled on Rye Lane. Initiated by local residents who expressed their interest in adopting Octavia’s orchard, 16 bins from the Southbank piece are being re-used to test the possibilities of a neglected public space in the heart of Peckham.

Rye Lane orchard is part of the initiative “Peckham Pocket Places” started by Sustrans and Southwark to improve the walking and cyle environment along Rye Lane. The underused area at the entrance to the community cinema Peckham Plex and the multi-storey car park with Frank’s bar has been greened and transformed into a space for socialising. A selection of fruiting trees with edible produce including Medlar, Quince, Hazel, Pine, Rowan, Mulberry and Crab Apple combined with meadows introduce wildlife and biodiversity to this otherwise hard urban landscape historically occupied by London’s market gardens.

For up to two years the installation by What if: projects will test the potential of this area as a public space providing respite from the bustling highstreet and aims to inform future permanent improvements along Rye Lane.

MORE INFO

HANOVER SCHOOL / TOWPATH GARDEN

Pupils at Hanover School have adopted a neglected stretch of land along the Regent's Canal, turning it into a garden. The project, developed in collaboration with the Canal&River Trust and Hanover School attracted Pocket Park funding and was constructed by carpenters in residence at the Crafts College.

Shortlisted for Canal and River Trust best project 2014
Shortlisted for Team London Awards 2014

LAMLASH STREET / GREEN STREET

We are working with the Hayles TRA and LB Southwark on turning Lamlash Street into communal garden. Pocket Park funding was successfully attracted and the TRA is receiving "cleaner, greener safer" funding from the LB Southwark.

RAINHAM / VIKING WAY

What if: projects has been commissioned by LB Havering to improve the public realm of the Viking Way in Rainham. A consulation with young people at the Royals Youth Centre in March '14 started the process.The project is scheduled to be completed during the summer 2014.

HACKNEY / NISBET HOUSE GARDENS

What if: projects are working with Hackney Homes on improving the public realm at Nisbet House in Homerton. First consultations with residents took place in March 2014 and the work is scheduled to be completed in September 2015.

VACANT LOT / allotment programme

What if: projects initiated the VACANT LOT program with the aim of transforming neglected and unused spaces on inner city housing estates into environments that provide neighbourhoods with the most basic of requirements: outside space, a place to grow food and a place to socialise.
More info or refer to www.vacant-lot.info

What if: projects took part in The Architecture Foundation's Street to Doorstep project in Thamesmead.
What if: projects focused on the "eye of the needle" entrances to the Moorings in Thamesmead and developed a series of proposals for the currently unused arch spaces and a tunnel underneath the flyover. The proposed Crosswayproject envisages the flyover that currently devides local communities as a cultural spine within a parkland. Delivered by construction trainess from Thamesmead the project would be started by setting up a construction workshop in one of the arches and would further extend to address the flyover spaces as well as construct furniture for the Thamesmead parkland.
Architecture Foundation
Architecture Journel

Charterhouse Road Club has won the Sustainable Housing Award 2013 in the category Transformation and is shortlisted for the Urban Intervention Award Berlin 2013 in the category Built.

Improvements to the communal spaces at the Samual Lewis Trust Estate/Amhurst Road were kick started with the Vacant Lot allotment in May 2011 and have been extended to the refurbishment of the Community Hall and the play space and outside gym. Charterhouse Road Club was offically opened on the 22.05.2013.
Photo: Inge Clemente
More info

What if: projects selected for GLA/TfL Architecture, Design and Urbanism Panel
In October 2013 What if: projects were selected for the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL) Architecture, Design and Urbanism panel in the category Community Engagement and Local Regeneration. The panel will be used for City Hall and Transport for London contracts and is available for use by all public sector organisations in the capital.
Building Design
GLA