‘Pews and Perches’ – a series of benches designed by emerging architects as part of the London Festival of Architecture (LFA)’s growing year-round programme – was unveiled across the Royal Docks in 2019. From a bench incorporating changing facilities for swimmers to another using reclaimed marine buoys, the benches represent extraordinarily imaginative responses to a competition organised by the LFA in partnership with the Royal Docks Team.
Together, the benches celebrated a fresh perspective on design, and offered imaginative places for the public to sit, relax and interact with the unique waterside setting. Architecture and design students, recent graduates and emerging practices were invited to enter the competition to create a playful series of benches, that can welcome visitors to the area throughout the next year. With innovative and creative visions for enlivening the Royal Docks’ distinct waterfront at the forefront of their proposals, the five winning teams were selected by an expert jury including Dan Bridge (Programme Director, Royal Docks Team), Tamsie Thomson (Director, London Festival of Architecture) and David Ogunmuyiwa (Principal, ArchitectureDoingPlace and Mayor’s Design Advocate).
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