What if, Bermondsey Square



	PROJECTS OUT-POST, Liverpool VACANT LOT,London SIT IN, Liverpool HATFIELD, Slough The Travelling Shed, Surrey Mobile stage BERMONDSEY SQUARE, London Cow the udder way, Liverpool Facing East, London Roof garden, London Haus, Germany Produce, London TEACHING/RESEARCH Places of uncertainty, Liverpool Placed in Beckton, London Places of uncertainty, Sheffield Modesty Screened, London INFORMATION Contact Profile	Bermondsey Square: a brief for the PUBLIC realm



		Who is the space for? The area around Bermondsey Square includes a rich mixture of communities from different social and economic backgrounds with different aspirations and lifestyles. The square neighbours new thriving fashion and creative industries and is also home to an established antiques market. The proposed housing development will introduce 60 new private households, a community of commercial office staff and visitors and guests to the new hotel complex. How might this new public space provide a balance between the desires of these different user groups?


		1. Markings on the square: As a starting point the WHAT IF team spray painted the outlines of the new development as well as the outline of the Abbeys ruins from 1339 that still exist underneath the asphalt onto the square. The WHAT IF team aimed to communicate the past and future of Bermondsey Square to the local residents, the Antique Market traders and visitors and open the debate on how this new square could be used. During meetings with local residents, businesses, art organisations, market traders and the local authorities tensions and a lack of communication between the developers of the new housing development and the existing communities became apparent. Issues of identity, ownership and exclusion were addressed.





		2. Design elements: The new square can be considered as providing a blank canvas where things are allowed to happen. On this canvas both temporary and permanent elements can be placed that provide non-economic reasons for people of all age groups to visit the square.



		A Portable Screen B Events furnishings C Space for a programme of public events D Market stalls



		1 A tree 2 A table and benches 3 Surface water fountain 4 Market stall markings 5 A view to the past 6 Temporary structures e.g. sports 7 Primary lighting

		Commission: Metal Space Ltd. August - October 2005 New development: Igloo Regeneration, Urban Catalyst