Council Installs studio High Street Meanwhile Project Idea

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A rendered image of a street split into night and day views showing people interacting with a sail based awning.
achievable’ outcomes of the Cycle 1 design as regarded by the council: the Lively Sail by Yiquan Tang

Through the academic year October 2021 to 2022 BA3 Studio pen and Inc conceived of and trialled a live collaboration between their 30 students and 5 teaching staff, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Dr Fei Chen (UoL research group Urban Form and Social Space) and practice Architectural Emporium to imagine proposals for meanwhile and retrofit projects for Huyton Village High street. the collaboration has continued throughout 2023

A lively evening gathering of people under a sail based awning.

Temporary ‘Sail Project’ KMBC testing the viability of a more  permanent structure

KMBC have committed to act on the ideas of two of the meanwhile projects: 'The Sail' and 'The People’s Pods'. Both resonated with the council’s thoughts on the needs of the high street. As a version of the concept, 'The Sail' project was in October 2022 tested with a rented tent placed at the exact node identified in the project where a series of programmed events taking place. With continued success KMBC is keen to explore the potential to build a bespoke version in collaboration with UoL students, as a more permanent installation.

KMBC have additionally promised to further investigate a second project ‘peoples Pods and progress towards realising this, should funds become available.

"We are keen to build on the undoubted impetus that has been established both in Huyton and in our collective understanding of the 'High Street'..."
KMBC councillor

Through the academic year October 2022 to 2023 BA3 Studio pen and Inc conceived of and trialled a live collaboration between their 30 students and 5 teaching staff, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Dr Fei Chen (UoL research group Urban Form and Social Space) and practice Architectural Emporium to imagine proposals for meanwhile and retrofit projects for Huyton Village High street.