Informal ExchangeHanover Square, W1

June 19th/20th

Four of the leading UK built environment charities will join forces in a public event.

Architecture Sans Frontières, Article 25, Architecture for Humanity and Engineers without Borders will host a project entitled ‘Informal Exchange’ as part of the London

Festival of Architecture (LFA) this summer.

Over the weekend, volunteers and members of the public will construct an

installation that will serve as a place for exchange – an exchange of ideas,

information, skills, knowledge, experience, and friendly goodwill. Through drawing,

making and questioning, festival-goers will be encouraged to express their opinions in an interactive way, and participate in transforming a small piece of their city.

The event will celebrate the ingenuity and energy found in developing citiesand seek to challenge people’s ideas about the ways in which built environment skills

can be used to improve the lives of people in less developed countries and offer an

opportunity to get involved.

1 Architecture Sans Frontières-UK (ASF-UK) is a UK registered charity. We believe that architects and other building professionals have invaluable knowledge to contribute to international development, especially in times of need. By raising awareness and supporting networks with local partners, in the UK and abroad, ASF-UK helps individuals and organisations to be more effective. It does this through international workshops, public events, publications and consultancies. Since forming in 2004, ASF-UK has held design and building workshops in India, Thailand, Japan, Brazil and South Africa. Every year the ASF summer school is held at the Eden Project in Cornwall. In 2009 we won a major award for the ‘Place of Change’ pavilion at the Chelsea Flower Show. www.asf-uk.org

2 Architecture for Humanity registered in 2006, is the UK Chapter of the international charity Architecture for Humanity. We provide architectural services on a pro bono basis for non-profit organisations without sufficient funds to engage an architect. We promote architectural and design solutions with a humanitarian basis. We believe that where resources are scarce, then innovative, sustainable and collaborative design will make a difference.

Since 2004 AFHUK has completed a number of projects including the Training Facility for Fareshare, an Arnica Drying Facility in Romania for the World Wildlife Fund and Christmas Centres for the national homeless charity, Crisis. We are currently working with Afrikids designing an eco lodge in Ghana. We have organised and contributed to talks, exhibitions, education seminars and architecture events in

Hanover Square June 19th / 20th 2010

Contacts

Architecture Sans Fronttiers

www.asf-uk.org

Article 25

www.article-25.org

Engineers Without Borders

www.ewb-uk.org

Architecture for Humanity UK

www.afhuk.org

Contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 The Proposal

3.0 Structure Form

4.0 Precedents / References

5.0 The Components

6.0 The Materials

7.0 The Methodology

8.0 Wishlist

9.0 What Happens Next

1.0 IntroductionThis document captures the discussions and proposals from the collaboration of four of the leading UK based architectural charities who have joined forces to collaborate and create an event as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2010.

The Site: the proposed site is Hanover Square in the City of Westminster.

The Time: Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June 2010

What will happen: volunteers and members of the public will construct an installation which will serve as a place for exchange – an exchange of ideas, information, skills, knowledge, experience and friendly goodwill. Through drawing, making and questioning, festival goers will be encouraged to express their opinions in an interactive way, and participate in transforming a small piece of their city.

The event will celebrate the ingenuity and energy found in developing cities and seek to challenge people’s ideas about the ways in which built environment skills can be used to improve the lives of people in less developed counties – and at home – and offer an opportunity to be involved.

Our Message and what we plan to achieve: will require continued discussion amongst the charities. Suggestions for this include:

• “Exchange ideas and contribute to the debate on humanitarian issues”

• “Help join our charities to understand and publicise our work”

• “Add your voice and view”

• “Hold your words, capture your ideas”

What happens to the information, drawings, structure and images captured?: we suggest that they are recorded and become a publication which documents our process, what we learned and can be circulated through the Open Architecture Network and RIBA Knowledge Communities to build on the bank of information available for those working within the humanitarian sector.

Purpose of the document: This document has been prepared by AFHUK to allow the charities to agree the way forward, sign off the proposal and take action to make the event happen

2.0 The Proposal & Form of the StructureThe key idea is to create a structure which represents the four charities, ASFUK, Article 25, AFHUK and EWB in the symbolic form of 4 L-shaped structures

The structures are linked by lightweight netting on which images, drawings, messages and made objects made during the weekend, can be hung and displayed.

The L form is used as a basic architectural element which provides stability and is suggestive of shelter.

A table is proposed on which making, drawing and discussion can happen, effectively a shared space for working and representative of place.

The drawings show how these might be arranged. The 2 angled geometries reflect the context in the layout of the square as an X, dividing the Square into four portions. Further work will be required to establish the exact setting out within Hanover Square, relative to an ‘on the ground’ survey and discussions with the City of Westminster.

Plan form: L-shape / mesh nets / shared table

View: L-shape / mesh nets / shared table

Inspiration: shared table

Inspiration: net / mesh to capture ideas

Inspiration: pallett tower

3.0 Content and ActivityThere are two aspects of the display work:

1: Pre-prepared display panels carried out by each of the charities

These are printed sheets – material and printing organised by each charity– based on a standard template which AfHUK can offer to provide. This allows individual control and flexibility on graphics and timeframes. They are fixed to the L-shaped columns and we estimate there would be up to 8 panels available on each, around 1200 x 1200mm square. The panels can be prepared in advance off site and arrive on site pre-drilled to be fixed using high quality cable ties for ease of assembly.

We suggest that the panels are image, rather than text based to give a stronger visual impact for the installation as a whole. Charities can provide additional printed material as appropriate and we may consider doing a collaborative postcard.

2: Made drawings and objects hung from the installation

These may be written responses to questions, drawings, made objects using materials in different ways and would form an evolving and growing part of the installation as time passes.

We are really keen to have photographs taken and printed at key times – polaroids would be ideal – where people can write a message, make a drawing, have their photograph taken – and included within the installation there and then.

We view people as central to our work.

Content Panels: chip / ply with printed material

Objects made from previously used materials or remewable resource

4.0 The MaterialsMaterials are key to the proposal, finding those which convey an appropriate massage, can be

easily donated and transported.

Materials required to build / make space:

• Pallettes: 4 L-shaped with 5 pallets + 9 for the table = 29total

• Mesh / netting: 2 long lengths to connect the L-s

• Chipboard / plywood: for the table top

Components required to fix

• Long bolts: steel to connect the palettes together

• Cable ties: good quality/various sizes

• String: say 5 balls, always useful

• Clothes pegs

Other possibles:

• Donated parasols / umbrellas – for shade

• Plastic sheeting – for rain

Essential considerations are:

1. Pre-made components for ease of assembly

2. No drilling on site

3. Prototyping – for palette fixing and testing the mesh

Simple Pre-made Construction

5.0 What Happens Next

Delivering the structure requires a focused effort by all participants to deliver and we suggest the following process:

• Charities sign off the proposal

• Review with City of Westminster Events Team

• Allocate tasks

• Confirm dates for workshops and future meetings

• Confirm delivery address for donations

• Commence donations procurement (AfHUK co-ordinate materials)

• Prepare graphics template for panels & print guidelines

• Prepare publicity postcard

• Financial donations

• Transport, delivery, set-up and take down arrangements

• Van for transport

• Prototype workshop – 22nd / 23rd May

• ‘Build workshop’ – 12th / 13th June

Other considerations / suggestions

• Publicity pack for distribution and charities’ websites

• Collaborative postcard

• Licensing arrangements with City of Westminster

• Security / H&S

• Overnight packing

• PI Insurance confirmation

• Neighbourhood liaison – who would like to help

• Donations of appropriate books or maps

• Local printer for on the day printing as work progresses