This event forms part of Another Land, an exhibition and programme devised by students from the London Doctoral Design Centre. Hosted by Kingston Museum and the Stanley Picker Gallery, Another Land aims to showcase experimental visualisations of place in art and design research. For further events and exhibition details, please click here

Like many places in the south-east of England, Shinfield, Berkshire, is experiencing rapid residential development; by 2026 this rural settlement will have the same population as the City of Ely. Secured through developer contributions, a new community centre is proposed to integrate the historic village green to the south with the proposed retail centre to the north. The Parish population has been invited to actively engage in the design of the new building ensuring it meets their evolving aspirations and needs. This talk by Tom Coward questions if a 21st century sense of place can begin to emerge through the performance of this community led process?

Tom is an Architect undertaking a PhD by Practice, exploring the performative role of conversation in the making of collective cultural meaning through physical architecture. Considered in contrast to a ‘matter of fact’ formal objectivity of what a building is – this experiential dialogue is a participation reinforced every-day within design provocation, the choreography of construction and in maintenance throughout continued use. The talk explores designs for Shinfield Parish Community Centre, set in the context of massive planned housing growth.

Biography

Tom Coward studied Architecture at Nottingham University before undertaking a Masters in Architecture & Interiors at the Royal College of Art. In 2005 he co-founded the award-winning practice AOC Architecture Ltd. In 2011 he was a visiting Professor at Yale School of Architecture. Tom is a RIBA chartered Architect, a fellow of the RSA, and he sits on the GLA Architecture Design and Urbanism Panel. Tom currently teaches MArch at Kingston School of Art and sits on a number of London borough design review panels.

This event is open to all ages – more suitable for adults