Heatherwick studio

Little Island may only be 2.4 acres but it makes a super-sized social impact, a new study has shown three years after it opened to the world. You can read the report here: https://lnkd.in/exq4GWvV The research examined who uses this free public park and asked what visitors, artists and staff think about the space. It found that: - Little Island attracts over 1.5 million visitors each year from a very diverse range of backgrounds and locations. 70% came from outside New York City and 30% were New York City residents. - These visitors describe it as beautiful and uplifting, and a place to gather. They feel relaxed and happy in the park, and many people comment on the playfulness of the design and the sense of escape. - 94% of visitors say Little Island is a place for people like them. - At least 26 of the 47 alumni of a workforce development programme for young people who live in NYC are currently employed (including 10 by Little Island and 16 elsewhere) while 7 are pursuing full-time education. The study shows that Little Island has also become a bright new creative destination for New York. In 2022, the park hosted over 200 free performances and art workshops and over 30 ticketed performances. The following year, in 2023, it commissioned 44 individual artists based in the city and presented 69 unique performances. These artists say they value the scenic environment and many of them want to return to present their work at the park. Fair pay and a coherent curatorial approach were cited as crucial reasons why performers value working here.   “I think the biggest thing for me is the Amph. It’s just a performance space unlike any other in New York,” commented one artist during the research. “I feel appreciated as an artist, the way they take care of us.” Reflecting on the research, Mat Cash, a Partner and Group Leader at Heatherwick studio, said: “It’s simply not a given that public space gets better over time. In fact, we can all think of places where the opposite is true. That’s why social impact studies matter. It’s a chance to listen. We’ve dug deep into the experience of New Yorkers to better understand how this river-top park is serving the city and now we plan to share those lessons with practitioners all over the world.” By 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in cities, and as they grow, the need for green public space becomes ever more pressing, both for the climate and the community. Little Island and Heatherwick Studio will be using this study to amplify the social impact of the park and to encourage an ongoing international debate about the best way to make and manage 21st century urban parks. This analysis and report was completed by AEA Consulting, with valuable input and support from Little Island NYC staff and social impact study participants. The report was designed by Studio EYC. We extend our thanks to everyone who contributed their time and insights.

The Humanise Campaign welcomes the election of a new Government in the UK. Speaking today, Abigail Scott Paul, Global Head of the Humanise Campaign, said: "This new government could radically change the quality of what gets built. Up and down the country, people have been subjected to swathes of soulless new development that leaves you feeling depressed and alienated. It’s bad for people’s health, bad for investment, and bad for the climate. But Britain is brimming with design talent. And we know how to solve this.” The Humanise Campaign believes 4 ideas should underpin the new Government’s initial approach to design and planning: 1. Refocus policy around human needs 2. Champion interesting architecture  3. Invest in planners (don’t tear up planning) 4. Focus on places that will benefit the most Together, these ideas will create the conditions where people feel safe, happy and included. They should be central to the development of new towns, the rejuvenation of high streets, and all the major housing developments required to hit Labour’s target of 1.5m new homes, especially in low-income communities. The campaign also believes that policy makers and regulators need to recognise they cannot deliver better places on their own. “Everyone has to be part of this”, continued Abigail Scott Paul. “Developers, citizens, architects and planners. The producers and consumers of our built environment. It has to be part of a national conversation about the importance of buildings and the way that everyday architecture shapes civic life, our physical wellbeing and the culture and competitiveness of Britain.” The Humanise Campaign is a 10 year global initiative. It was launched in 2023 with the publication of Thomas Heatherwick’s book Humanise: A Maker’s Guide to Building Our World, which is now widely available in the UK, USA and China. Sarah Lyall Rachel Fisher Luke Tozer Phineas Harper Harriet Saddington Trevor MacFarlane Rhys Moore Francesca Albanese

"Form follows function" has dominated design for 100+ years, but what if it’s missing the most vital element: human emotion? Thomas Heatherwick continues the mission to fight the "epidemic of boringness" in building design with an insightful conversation with Tamsie Thomson Hon FRIBA, CEO of The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, at this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival. Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eawgsqk4

This week marks the transformation of a 4-acre parking lot outside the Milwaukee HQ of Harley-Davidson Motor Company into a brand-new community park, designed by Heatherwick Studio. To develop our design concept, we listened to the hopes and dreams of 200 neighbourhood groups in the city’s Near West Side. They asked for a safe green place for young people to play, a serenity garden, and a space supporting health, well-being, art and culture. These ambitions informed every decision made on the project, now formally called Davidson Park. And on Monday, at the official opening ceremony, you could see a three-dimensional place emerging from a plot previously dominated by a large swathe of flat tarmac. A park where people can relax, reflect, play and picnic. At its heart is 'The Hub', a circular sunken gathering space which can also become a theatrical venue for motorbike rallies. We worked with local schools on the brickwork that paves this amphitheatre. In an open competition, students were invited to create 24 designs that have a visual connection to Milwaukee (the winning entries include representations of cheese, a badger and the local museum!). Meanwhile, a symbolic central Foundation Stone, four feet in diameter and made from cast iron, was designed by Megan Huss, a student from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. The project has been led by the Harley Davidson Foundation, working alongside the Forest County Potawatomi community, the Milwaukee architectural firm HGA and Greenfire Management Services, LLC. This makes it a place for the city, made by the city. Thomas Heatherwick said: "This is a real community park where people can come together to enjoy some of the wildness of Wisconsin, listen to the state's best music, or experience the energy of a motorcycle rally. Harley-Davidson has been part of Near West Side's history for over 120 years and we’re very proud to have helped write part of the next chapter in their joint story." Video courtesy of Harley-Davidson

‘Humanise’ has arrived in China! The book, by Thomas Heatherwick, was launched today at Design Shanghai. Thomas was there to talk about the book, chat to readers and take part in a panel discussion with architects at the event. Meanwhile, members of the public are using our Humanise Scroll, pictured above, to write down what inspires them (and what doesn’t) about the places where they live. Thomas has also given talks to design students at Tongji University and 上海交通大学 in the past few days. ‘Humanise’ – which helped spark the Humanise.org campaign – was written to inspire designers and enthusiasts worldwide. It considers how we could create more interesting, enduring and inspiring urban environments, focusing on people’s needs for human-centred, socially beneficial, and sustainable buildings. We’ll be sharing photos and videos from across Design Shanghai over the next few days. Let us know if you are there!

We're happy to reveal that our glass canopy for the reimagined London Olympia has now completed. This construction milestone marks a pivotal moment in the project, which will see Olympia evolve from an exhibition destination to a global cultural landmark. Once completed OlympiaUK, developed by Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance International and designed in collaboration with SPPARC, will feature hotels, bars, restaurants, a music hall, a new theatre, a performing arts school and offices.  Central to the design is 2.5 acres of new publicly accessible open space and a roof garden with views over the capital. This is where the canopy will stand, sheltering visitors and providing a visual nod to the historic (and carefully restored) neighbouring halls. Clearly visible from the bustle of Hammersmith Road below, the structure will tempt pedestrians to ascend the escalators and investigate, creating new connections with the street.  Constructed by Laing O'Rourke and Octatube, the studio's canopy is formed of five large curved structural steel arches, each with a span of 22 metres. The transparent roof, constructed of 520 rectangular low-iron glass panels, covers nearly 1,000 square metres with a pleated glazing motif inspired by the façade of the 138 year old Grade II* listed Grand Hall, designed by Sir Henry Edward Coe. John Hitchcox, Chairman at YOO Group, said: "This soaring structure will represent Olympia's welcoming embrace, encouraging visitors to explore the vibrant tapestry of culture and entertainment woven into the heart of the new Olympia." Thomas Heatherwick added: "Olympia was once a people's palace - a place to come together and experience unusual things. Having lost its way over the years, we're now working to bring back its original spirit and make Olympia open and available to everyone." Thomas spoke more about the project in an interview with The Times on Monday. You can read that here: https://lnkd.in/e6x_tVBs Photography: Raquel Diniz Humanise.org Eliot Postma Carlos Parraga-Botero Consuelo Manna Andy McConachie Teodor Cozma

If you want to find out more about the work we’re doing to restore “Britain’s grandest exhibition centre” and to build London’s newest creative destination around it, read the article in The Times (link below). Thomas Heatherwick, Heatherwick studio, delves into the epic transformation we’re delivering in West London, whilst emphasising the need for engaging, character-filled buildings that truly connect with people and communities. From a new theatre and music venue, to new restaurants, bars and state-of-the-art office space, Olympia will be one of the world’s greatest showcases for the creative industries, open for all to enjoy.   The newly finished glass canopy, almost 1,000 square metres in size, will be an iconic part of the transformed Olympia, and you can already spot it from street level! Don’t miss it next time you’re in the area.   Full article available here https://lnkd.in/gs722-v4 #Olympia #ThomasHeatherwick #UrbanDesign #Architecture

What makes an office compelling? And what is the impact of a boring office? Hear Eliot Postma (Partner, Heatherwick studio) together with a panel of industry experts in design, research, and real estate to discuss the essential elements of creating 'interesting' workplaces - a panel discussion from The British Council for Offices (BCO) and the London Festival of Architecture (LFA). Tickets below:

Thomas Heatherwick has been appointed General Director of the fifth Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism by Mayor Oh Se-hoon at an official ceremony in Seoul on 3rd June. The Biennale will run from 1 September to 31 October 2025. Founded in 2017, the Seoul Biennale is a testbed for exploring fresh solutions to some of the most compelling issues facing major global cities today. It is the biggest architecture biennale in Asia and has involved nearly 3 million people in four editions over the last seven years. Channelling the city’s ambition for a human-centred, climate-friendly future, the 2025 programme will explore how to make buildings and cities radically more joyful and engaging. Mayor Oh Se-hoon said: “I hope the 5th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism brings people closer. I’m very much looking forward to the significant strides this event will make next year.” Responding to the announcement, Thomas Heatherwick, said: “We are thrilled by this appointment to curate our first Biennale. There are over 300 biennales taking place around the world today. But the original ambition to use them as vehicles for debate and engagement with the public, too easily gets lost in professional echo-chambers, which most ordinary people don’t engage with. "We plan to turn the concept of a biennale inside out and create a big, full-throttle conversation with Seoulites. We want to get to the heart of what matters to them and their city and help make new buildings in Seoul radically more human.”   More details about the programme will be published in due course. The Korean edition of ‘Humanise: A Maker’s Guide To Building Our World’ by Thomas Heatherwick will be published later in 2024, following editions in the UK, USA and China. 

A must-read for every client, architect, developer, designer, supplier, and builder involved in the construction industry. It is better for architecture students to read it before starting their professional work. We started with ourselves, and in our team, everyone has either read this book or is reading it. The language of the book is very fluent, and many of your concerns as a participant in the process of designing and executing the biggest thing that can be built in the world are explored. Humanise.org Heatherwick studio