What_if_projects

What if: projects have been mapping vacant and neglected spaces that surround inner city housing estates in London. Gaps within the urban fabric both detach and isolate communities. The team has been developing a strategy for how these unloved spaces could be appropriated to accommodate the needs of the local population. The basic need for food and outside space for socialising and recreation was developed into a proposal to transform formerly fenced off and neglected pieces of land into allotment gardens. The first Vacant Lot allotment garden was established in Shoreditch, London in May 07.
The What if team is now working in partnership with a team of four gardeners from Groundwork to establish 20 new allotment gardens over 3 years for the production of food on inner city housing estates in London. Site clearing and work with the different communities started in November 2009. Read more

VACANT LOT is part of the Carrot City exhibition in Birmingham
06.04.-20.04.2012 Millenium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG, UK
23.04.-06.05.2012 Edible Eastside, 122 Fazeley Street, Birmingham, B5 5RS, UK
08.05.-31.05.2012 MADE, 7 Newhall Square, Birmingham, B3 1RU, UK

What if: projects talk about the VACANT LOT programme at the architecture for humanity event "Greenhouse Saturday" on the 5.05. from 13:00-14:45pm at 54 Rivington Street.
Examples of the work are part of the exhibition "Ideas on a postcard please" on show at 54 Rivington Street from 03.-09.05.2012

EAT OUT at the inner city allotment VACANT LOT, part of Chelsea Fringe festival
09.05.2012 from 12:00-21:00

An exceptional and theatrical dining experience is offered to guests of the VACANT LOT allotment. Throughout the day visitors are invited to table service amongst the 72 grow bags, and a water tower. A visiting cook will prepare a menu of delicious dishes from the range of vegetables, fruit and herbs that are typically grown by residents at this inner city allotment. The day will culminate in a dinner banquet.

Seats for the set dinner that starts at 19:00 are limited and need to be booked in advance by the 2nd June. For each dinner invite we will ask for a fixed contribution per person. Please contact us for a reservation.

new MUGA (on site)

Improvements to the communal spaces at the Samual Lewis Trust Estate/Amhurst Road started with the Vacant Lot allotment in May 2011 and have been extended to the refurbishment of the Community Hall and the play space Commissioned by Southern Housing Group. Works started on site on the 19th March 2012. Read more

Hanover School: new playground

What if: projects have been appointed to design a new playground as part of the refurbishment of Hanover Primary School. Works are scheduled to start on site this autumn.More info

GREENING ROMFORD RING ROAD

WHAT IF: projects are developing a masterplan, design guide and a series of pilot projects for the Romford Ring Road including Roundabout and Subway improvements, the first Havering Green Route Map, tree planting, the creation of wildflower meadows along the Ring and an Art Strategy for the Town Centre. Read more

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Vector>
Critical research incontext (2011)

Carrot City
Creating places for urban agriculture

Dear...on courtesey 1/2011

My Green City
Back to nature with attitude and style

HOME/AWAY, art in social spaces
Idensitat

Architecture of Change 2
Sustainability and Humanity in the Built Environment

Paisea
Landscape Architecture Review, no. 009: Public Square
cult landsapce: what if...

Spacecraft 2
More Fleeting Architecture and Hideouts