London Design Festival in Kingston
London Design Festival in Kingston
Kingston to host installation ‘What if…?’ for London Design Festival
From 15-20 September, Kingston residents can visit an installation about people, place and possibilities as part of London Design Festival.
Organised as part of London Design Festival‘s programme of city-wide events in conjunction with Kingston 2025 Festival celebrating culture in Kingston, the installation ‘What If?’ will allow visitors to journey through Kingston’s past, reflect on current developmental challenges, and learn how they can help to influence the borough’s future, alongside a thought-provoking programme of talks and walks.
Inspired by the concept of an Urban Room, Kingston College Creative Industries Centre’s Penny School Gallery will be transformed into five creative zones exploring place and possibilities. In collaboration with local innovators, designers, artists and architects, these areas will cover heritage, art and design, architects, designers and the future Urban Room.
Visitors will be invited to contribute to a growing and evolving physical map of Kingston, engage in open sessions with members of the Kingston Society, and leave drawings, stories or questions behind to feed into the future Urban Room design.
Says Kingston Urban Room Project Lead Peter Karpinski: “For many residents, development decisions seem to happen behind closed doors, so it’s easy to feel shut out of the process or unaware there’s even a way in. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The built environment affects us all and good design is created with – not just for – people.
“Our ‘What If’ installation will show how, instead of treating public input as a planning formality, an Urban Room would recognise residents as valued voices and put people and their priorities at the heart of decisions that shape our borough’s future.” he added.
(Scroll to keep reading)
The free programme also includes a selection of themed walks and talks:
Kings Town Talk
Thursday 18 September, 12:30-2pm
A lunchtime debate in the Kingston College Creative Industries Centre as key creative voices – including local artists, council officers and Kingston organisations – debate the connection between public art, heritage and communities.
Guided Walks
Art in the Open
16 September, 10:30am-12:30pm
Starting from the Penny School Gallery, and finishing at the Stanley Picker Gallery, this tour will cover the evolution of local art, from the newest additions to historic landmarks, including some that have been lost along the way.
Historic Kingston – Footsteps Through Time
18 September, 2:30-5pm
This journey through the town’s colourful past will start from the Coronation Stone at Guildhall before taking in medieval bridges, coaching inns, and places once at the heart of local justice, from former prisons and correction houses to militia barracks and stocks.
Coombe Conduit – The Palace Pipeline
20 September, 10am-3pm
The tour includes rare access to the hidden chambers of Coombe Conduit (where the walk starts), an hour’s break for lunch (not provided) at All Saints Church, and free entry to Hampton Court Palace Gardens (where it ends).
Visit kingstonurbanroom.org.uk for more information
