10th June 2015

Unfolding City

As part of the London Festival of Architecture JRA created an in house art installation, collaborating with artist Gabby Shawcross, an installation artist with a background in architecture, set design and interactive art, and founder of the Studio of Cinematic Architecture. It was on display throughout June in our Southwark Street studios.

The installation was assembled following a competition in which JRA designers were encouraged to create a three dimensional, modular design using model making techniques, responding to the RIBA Open Studio’s theme of ‘Work in Progress’ as part of the LFA. The winning entries were sent to production to be die cut and assembled in house, creating the components of our abstract interpretation of a cityscape. The piece was composed of 1,000 individual components suspended in the main entrance to echo a starling murmuration. It was set against the backdrop of a six foot wall hanging, outlining a map of the City and locations of JRA projects using staff names.

The public were able to view the installation up close by booking tickets for the evening of the 18th where JRA hosted a dialogue between Shawcross and Director David Magyar, aiming to provide insight into how the public realm and workspaces are changing within the city as a result of collaborations between developers, architects, artists, city planners and urban designers.