Design concept for ‘Unearthing New Malden’ by Hayatsu Architects, Hortus Collective and 121 Collective.

LFA and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames are delighted to announce Hayatsu Architects, Hortus Collective and 121 Collective, as the winners of ‘A Gateway to New Malden’. The winning concept ‘Unearthing New Malden’ was chosen following an exhibition of the shortlisted designs, which formed part of the LFA2023 programme.

This competition asked design teams to propose solutions for enhancing the green space at Fountain Roundabout, creating an inclusive and attractive public space for New Malden’s town centre that celebrates its character, culture, and heritage.

Inspired by New Malden’s brick manufacturing past, ‘Unearthing New Malden’ seeks to unearth the history of the town through built interventions and material treatments, bringing life to the existing roundabout and green space whilst increasing and protecting biodiversity in the area.

Image of winning design teams Hayatsu Architects (top left), Hortus Collective (bottom middle) and 121 Collective (top right).

Hayatsu Architects is an architecture practice led by Takeshi Hayatsu – MArch Unit Senior Lecturer at Kingston University. 121 Collective is a local architectural design and make studio based in Tolworth and Hortus Collective is an emerging landscape design practice based in East Sussex and Sheffield. The project will benefit from the team’s existing networks within the community and their commitment to forming new relationships and connections in the local area.

Image of the ‘A Gateway to New Malden’ exhibition, Kingston Environment Centre, June 2023 

Six design teams were shortlisted for this competition and awarded an honorarium to develop their proposals. These were exhibited in late June at Kingston Environment Centre and members of the local and wider community were invited to comment on the design proposals. Comments were then shared with the judging panel to support the final selection of the winning team for ‘A Gateway to New Malden’.

The project’s commitment to community engagement will continue into the further design, delivery, and maintenance stages, as the council and design team look to begin construction on the project next year.