Workshop Leaders

Bankside Open Spaces Trust plans and manages parks in North Southwark including Mint Street Adventure Playground and Tate Modern's community gardens. In 2007 BOST helped to set up the Webber Row Edible Estate with LA based artist Fritz Haeg. Pioneers spent day 2 planting with Bankside Open Spaces Trust.
Image: The Edible Estate, Webber Street, SE1. Commissioned by Tate Modern as part of Global Cities, 2007. Artist: Fritz Haeg. Managed by BOST

dallaspierce+quintero architects recently won The Architecture Foundation's competition to redesign the public spaces in Amelia Street, near Elephant and Castle. On day 5, Pioneers discovered how architects design for public spaces with dallaspierce+quintero, and came up with their own ideas for improving St John's Church yard.
Image copyright dallaspierce+quintero

Gifford is a world leading consultancy of engineers and specialist advisers.  They have played an integral role in the development of significant projects around the world including the forthcoming London Bridge Tower (Shard of Glass) which will be Europe's tallest building. Pioneers spent day 1 with Gifford's David Tasker, learning about how bridges are designed and building their own bridge from balsa wood.

David Sparshott studied illustration at Bristol School of Art, graduating in 2006. His work is concerned with observing individuals' interactions with their environment. David has exhibited at London's Conningsby Gallery, the Here Gallery in Bristol, London College of Communication , and Notting Hill Arts Club. On day 4, David and the Pioneers drew people and buildings in SE1, which will become banners on the new website. Image copyright David Sparshott

Space Syntax is an advanced technology as well as a highly influential theory of architecture and town planning.  Space syntax techniques have been used for research in fields from archaeology to I.T. and anthropology.  Using these techniques, it is possible to describe how easily navigable any space is, and to predict how the layout of space can affect crime, traffic flow and shopping habits. On day 6, Pioneers will gather data about how people move through an area between the bridges, then spend the afternoon with Space Syntax analysing the information using cutting edge technology.

Barney Sutton studied Media Practice in Bristol and graduated 5 years ago. Since then he has worked for the BBC and independent production companies in all roles from researching to directing.  He has also had his short films shown in various film festivals around the world. On day 8, there will be the chance for all the applicants to the project to take part in the Five Hour Film Challenge, in which they will write, act in, direct and produce a film about this area in a day.

YCN (Young Creative Network) is an agency for illustrators, designers and animators. YCN's clients include Sony Playstation, Mica and Topshop. The organisation also runs awards, publications and events, and has created the Urban Pioneers: Between the Bridges website. On day 9, Pioneers will visit YCN's workshops to create banners for and design their website with the Young Creative Network team.

Ruby Wright is The Architecture Foundation's education coordinator.  She studied sculpture at Wimbledon School of Art and then went to work for BBC Radio 4 news programmes. She has a fortnightly music radio show and has made many podcasts and documentaries, most recently for National Public Radio's This American Life. On day 6, Pioneers will gather sounds and interviews and learn how to edit audio to create their own podcasts.