New Architecture Live Project Partnership Announced
The Architecture Programme has announced a new three-year design partnership with the property development and investment company British Land. This initiative will push students to find creative solutions to development opportunities across British Land’s varied portfolio.
For three consecutive years, this new partnership will offer MA Architecture students the opportunity to participate in live briefs, the first of which will launch in October. These competitions will challenge students to create innovative design proposals in response to specific requirements from British Land. Each year-long project will follow the winning concept from initial design phase through to installation and the outcomes of each brief will play key roles in British Land’s approach to creating dynamic places for people to work, shop and live.
This is the most recent partnership to develop as part of the Live Project Architecture Programme (LPAP) at the College. Now in its fifth year, the LPAP provides students with the unique opportunity to create and realise live architectural projects from inception to completion. Previous projects include the Helix Design Studio, which opened in 2015 and was designed by RCA Architecture students Ralf Alwani, Joanna Hyland and Matt Volsen. The Helix Design Studio is the world’s first design studio to be situated within a hospital and enables healthcare professionals and designers to more effectively collaborate to solve pressing healthcare challenges.
Building on the success of the Helix Design Studio, this latest partnership with British Land will continue to offer RCA students the chance to collaborative with partners in a live industry environment. ‘British Land has a long history of supporting future generations of designers and architects – they provide a fine example of the benefits that these partnerships can bring’, explained Adrian Friend, Senior Tutor, Architecture. ‘Our students gain from the opportunity to realise live projects particularly as this is an area in which emerging technologies and ideas are formed. British Land’s position as a globally recognised company, with local knowledge and expertise in driving through innovation in architecture, engineering and design will be invaluable to our students.’
The partnership reflects British Land’s understanding of the insights designers can bring to their developments, be that through providing original ideas, new ways of working or a wider diversity of thought. ‘Great design is key to our ambition to create Places People Prefer’ said British Land CEO Chris Grigg. ‘British Land has long recognised the importance of encouraging designers and architects of the future and has worked closely with community partners to support numerous local initiatives. Our partnership with the Royal College of Art demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in future generations of creative talent who can bring inspiring and engaging designs to our properties making a positive impact today and in the future.’
British Land is one of Europe’s largest publicly listed real estate companies. They own, manage, develop and finance a portfolio of commercial property, focused on retail locations around the UK and offices in London. Their properties house over 1,200 organisations from international brands to local start-ups. Throughout their property portfolio, British Land are committed to sustainability and were awarded the 2016 Queen's Award for Enterprise, for their continued economic, social and environmental achievements.Â
The company strives to create places that make a positive difference to people’s everyday lives and to effect long-term impacts through supporting communities, improving environments and growing economies. In the past, they have run a series of successful initiatives and programmes with organisations including Creative Curriculum, Sculpture in the City, Construction Youth Trust and Pathways to Property. The recent partnership with the RCA reflects their commitment to investing in future generations of designers as well as providing a platform to nurture rising talent and providing prospective opportunities in the property industry.Â