Eric Parry Architects are revisiting their St Martin-in-the Fields project 10 years on, as part of St Martin’s ‘Building Futures Campaign’. The Campaign seeks to expand the theological and music programmes alongside maintaining and enhancing the existing buildings and spaces that transformed this London landmark.

Today the more transient nature of cities and how we are now occupying public space and buildings, is allowing these places to be inhabited more fluidly, creatively and imaginatively – the boundary between spaces and places is being released. How are public places evolving and responding to the changing nature of how people are inhabiting them?

Conversations around the importance of good pedestrian focused, considered public space that connects these cultural institutions are increasing and are filtering into public debate. The quality of our public realm and the more varied offer of shared spaces within our existing and new buildings are important considerations in securing the future of our cities in a world which is increasingly lived ‘virtually’.

Event: Talk / Debate and building/walking tour (Free)

A talk and panel discussion around the important of releasing these boundaries through considered, creative and imaginative design will be presented with the following participants:

Revd Jonathan Evens (SMITF)

Christopher Burton and Robert Kennett (EPA)

Kathryn Harris (PCC)

Vicky Wagner (Publica)

Ruchi Chakravarty (Westminster)

Chair – Andrew Caspari

A building and walking tour after the panel discussion, will focus on St Martin-in-the Fields and could expand to include the Strand, Aldywch and St Mary le Strand (the two James Gibbs churches within one parish)