In Search Of a Public Voice: On Site

The brief is to design a means for people, wither as individuals or collectively, to express themselves in a public space, to find a public voice. To do this we will create a platform - tangible or ethereal, physical or virtual, temporary or permanent from which messages and other forms of communication can be relayed.

Our 'site' is New Street Square, London, EC4 which is a Land Securities development close to fetter lane.

We went there to explore the space, understand its current usage and view any current interventions.


A 'living wall' with greenery growing underneath a wire mesh. The greenery does look almost 'trapped' beneath the wire frame despite it being intended to be a subversion of the space. The wire is necessary for it to be stable and grow, but it kind of suggests that the wildlife is overwhelmed and crippled by city life which may have not been its intention.


It is a very imposing and for me almost intimidating. It is a very functional and corporate space. I did observe that perhaps it would feel different in the summer as it would be warm enough for people to take their time and enjoy being outside.


A water feature. I have seen a similar one around waterloo somewhere, but this was slightly different. It would be interesting if it was covered with very slim panes of glass here and there so that you could eat on parts of it, whilst there still being sections where it was uncovered. Problem with this would be the mess which could clog it and make it look dirty. Perhaps instead you could use it to put drinks on.

Maybe you could have ice sculpure glasses with water inside that you could actually use, which you could then leave on the water and it would melt.




A neon light intervention already in the space.

What i am going to do next is look at existing artists to see what they are doing, and to get some inspiration.