Greenwich Peninsula

Futurecity was appointed to develop and deliver a series of high-profile cultural ideas for the Greenwich Peninsula. Our research showed that North Greenwich was not a natural destination for Londoners and barely visited even by residents of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The industrial site had seen a series of large-scale industrial interventions over many years. From the ‘Dome’ designed by Richard Rogers for the Millennium (and now a major live events venue), the iconic Ravensbourne art school, a disused gasometer and 2 largely forgotten public artworks by Sir Anthony Gormley RA and Richard Wilson RA.

Futurecity developed the idea of a cultural DNA approach to the development of the Peninsula, to help establish a new creative district or neighbourhood for London. Futurecity worked with client Knight Dragon to explore and develop a range of high-profile embedded art commissions and cultural projects designed to help build an authentic, new identity for the Peninsula embedded into the landscape, architecture and infrastructure.

Ambitious projects include the ‘Optic Cloak’ 50 metre tower. Artist Conrad Shawcross RA won an international sculpture competition for the redesign of the flue tower of a new Low Carbon Energy Centre. His ambitious proposal, Optic Cloak, transformed the 50-metre flue (chimney) from a heavy, traditional frame into a lightweight sculptural structure. He created a ‘moiré’ camouflage effect’ by layering 1000’s of perforated triangles, creating an optical effect of water and a dynamic constantly changing surface. Over 100,000 vehicles pass the Optic Cloak each day and it can be seen from land, river and air.

Futurecity also contributed to an interim programme of events launching an immersive site-specific theatre performance on the former coal jetty; read more about Shunt at the Jetty in our blog.

Futurecity’s largest contribution to the Peninsula project was ideas for a part elevated sculptural 5km running track, which will eventually wind around the development. The Futurecity and Price & Meyers concept explored the idea of the ultimate 5K run offering a unique experience for both the runners and the audience. The 5K is the charity run of choice achievable by people of all ages and ability and it is hoped the structure will attract large number of people to the Peninsula for the ultimate 5K experience.

Cover photo by James Petts (cc)