‘For those lucky enough to possess a pool or live near one, the blissful experience of being in the water is almost transcendent…The rhythm of breathing and moving muscles takes you to a place beyond your usual self…The lido today is a place of peace in a frenetic world that is going very slowly round the twist.’

Our projects this year will be based in Tolworth, a suburban town only a few miles from the university in Kingston. Design work will focus on creating buildings which will nourish the community and provide healthy places to visit and dwell. Designs will address the well-being of the individual but also the planet and the challenges faced by climate change.

Semester 1

The site for our project in the first semester will be King Georges field – which is a public open space in Tolworth dedicated to the memory of King George V. It is one of many of these fields in the UK which provide valuable public amenity, legally dedicated to leisure and recreation. You will research Lidos around London and further afield to inspire designs for a new Lido and associated leisure activities on the site. This project is supported by the local community and it is hoped that we can be involved with the public consultation and help to generate ideas to make the project real...

Semester 2

We will investigate the history of suburban housing and question conventional typologies. On a small site adjacent to King Georges field you will be asked to propose an alternative model which will reflect and embrace our changing needs. Proposals will utilize sustainable technologies and methodologies such as passivhaus.