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Arsenal Regeneration – Piper Close
In particular Metal was asked to identify opportunities for culture and creativity to impact on the social and economic benefits brought to the area through regeneration. Our work in this role has included research, advocacy, reports and recommendations, building relationships between the local authority and their arts community, as well as some ‘live’ projects on the ground. Metal were asked to look at the possibilities offered by Piper Close – a road which was to be reconfigured as 249 new homes were built, and a possible 750 new members of the community arrive. The road which is currently mostly inaccessible to cars has the remnants of a children’s ‘football pitch’ which although in a very poor state of repair is utilized by children from the nearby housing, Ringcross Estate. The fate of this play area was uncertain and Metal was asked to work with tenants to find a creative solution to some of the design issues.
Residents worked on solving issues such as parking allowance, traffic controls, social interaction, children’s facilities as well as aesthetics, design and ergonomics. The process was fully integrated with the professionals at LBI to ensure that ideas were within the practical constraints of Highways and Refuse regulations.
“Being able to fully participate in the redesign, working with artists and architects has given the residents a proper say in what will happen and has allowed our knowledge and ideas for the area to come to the fore. I feel proud of the results and look forward to seeing it built.” Angie Passingham, resident of Ringcross Estate and Chair of the Ringcross Tenants Association. | |
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Metal were commissioned by London Borough of Islington (LBI) to contribute to the strategic thinking on how the opportunities for positive change could be maximized from the fact that Arsenal Football Club were moving, building a 60,000 capacity new stadium, and rebuilding a mile and a half of Islington’s urban landscape from Highbury in the north of the borough to Barnsbury in the south.
Using the process of participatory design that Metal had piloted at Mulberry School, we designed an innovative process, working with artist Nayan Kulkarni and architect Andrew Siddall. Using a combination of methods of engagement - ‘study visits’ with interested residents to other successful outdoor spaces in London; open design days in the community centre; informal conversations on site; door to door conversations; tenants association meetings – and using VSpace Lab, the tool for participation that Metal is developing with Andrew, we were able to successfully assist the tenants, of all ages, to re-imagine their street. 
The designs are now being prepared for planning permission.