The
NLA and Southwark Council are proud to announce the new design
competition ‘Hope in the Square’. As part of the council’s
flagship scheme for the redevelopment of Peckham Square, this
competition is looking for creatives to design and deliver a
garden-like area that celebrates youth. The key objective of this
competition is to create a unique meeting place within the square for
young people and local communities to gather and reflect, take a
positive look towards the future and honour Peckham’s past to build
on Damilola Taylor’s legacy and the work of his family as well as
the Hope
Collective.
Competition
Details
The
competition invites architects, designers, artists and other
creatives to submit design concepts that will reimagine and develop
the ‘Gardens’ area of the square into a safe, accessible and
inclusive space. Entries should propose a creative design solution
for a dynamic and vibrant feature that will not only invite
engagement from local communities and contribute visually to Peckham
Square but will also celebrate the voices of young people.
Once
submissions are closed, up to six shortlisted practices will then be
invited to develop a design and will be awarded an honorarium of
£1,500 + VAT each.
Revitalisation
with the community at heart
Originally
designed in the early 1990s, Peckham Square is a civic space in the
borough and continues to be a key part of the local area. As part of
the Southwark
Stands Together
flagship programme, Southwark Council are redeveloping Peckham
Square, transforming it into a new civic space that residents can
take pride in. The much-loved square is surrounded by key local
landmarks, including the Stirling Prize-winning Peckham Library,
Peckham Pulse Leisure Centre, and the world-renowned Mountview
Academy of Theatre Arts, and will also host the local arts charity,
Peckham Platform.
This
£7 million flagship project is well underway. Architects have been
appointed to develop designs in collaboration with the community. The
final designs will be shared with residents later this month, before
a planning application is submitted this summer.
‘Hope
in the Square’ will become a permanent part of the Peckham Square
upgrades and is expected to be in place for a minimum of 15 – 20
years. With collaboration expected between the winning team and the
local community, this competition gives creatives a real opportunity
to leave a legacy in the borough.
Rosa
Rogina, Head of Collaborate at NLA,
said: “We’re thrilled to be working on such an important project
with Southwark Council. This competition offers an opportunity to
enact a meaningful impact on the local area, with its residents, and
an incredibly important cause front and centre. We’re honoured to
be playing a part in this public space, and we’re looking forward
to seeing the submissions”.
Councillor
Portia Mwangangye, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks and Young
People, said: “Peckham
Square is a vibrant hub for local people, so we are excited to be
reaching this milestone. Through this competition, we want to create
a welcoming feature in the space that celebrates the creativity of
our young people, while honouring the legacy of Damilola Taylor and
the work of his family. We’re excited to invite designers and
artists to work with us and our residents to help shape a space that
brings hope and connection for many years to come. The inclusive
garden-like area is part of plans to revitalise Peckham Square,
ensuring it continues to act as a focus for the community in the
years ahead”.
Hope
Collective Chair Professor, Niven Rennie, said:
“Our legacy campaign for Damilola Taylor has reached over 4,000
young people in the last 4 years, none of whom were born when
Damilola was taken so cruelly and so young. We are delighted to be a
part of this wonderful memorial project and are excited to see the
progress being made”
Damilola
Taylor Trust CEO, Gary Trowsdale, said:
“It is wonderful to see this project coming to fruition.
We truly appreciate the effort of all partners in reaching this
point.
The
deadline for submissions is Thursday 14th
August, with the winner expected to be announced in October 2025.