Plan Projects' commission for a public realm design at Osier’s Gate
Date uploaded: October 24, 2012
Plan Projects' commission for a public realm design at Osier’s Gate
Plan Projects has been commissioned to work up a design for the public realm at Osier’s Gate, a major residential scheme by Barratts in South West London.
A collaborative project, the intention is for the final design to reflect a creative fusion between an artist and the practice’s associate landscape architect. To this end, the practice is currently in discussion with four artists: Olivier Grossetete, Gitta Gschwendtner, Nayan Kulkarni and Tom and Simon Bloor.
The developer’s vision for the development is to create a new urban community, providing excellent residential accommodation with active ground floor uses including a gallery, café and artists’ studios. As well as broaden its economic base within the neighbourhood, it is hoped this will create a safe and actively used public realm and one which is conducive to the emergence of a strong community.
Plan Projects' approach for the public space seeks to play into this vision by focussing on the main area of vehicle-free public realm at the site. Their design process will involve setting up a collaborative relationship with one of the shortlisted artists to mould both the spatial and physical characteristics of the square and promote a strong sense of identity. Their aim is to achieve an idiosyncrasy and quirkiness in the site, which is largely absent from the other public spaces within the development.