RIBA Future Places: Unlocking Potential Through Placemaking

RIBA’s Future Place scheme, announced last year, set out to unlock placemaking potential at a local level “… by supporting innovative design solutions, delivery models and collaboration through interdisciplinary expert advice, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.” Five future places were chosen by RIBA, pairing the local authorities with five architects.

Tonkin Liu were chosen to analyse Great Yarmouth; we explored reconnecting the river, town, and sea in our Greening Great Yarmouth case study, celebrating local culture and heritage. Using our Asking Looking Playing Making methodology, we aimed to create a framework for identity through nature. Creating ‘a green space for everyone’ and bringing people to the seafront; the space would act as the new heart of the town, where all the town’s charms are brought together.

Great Yarmouth’s charms, and a new heart

The other Future Places and practices chosen were:

• Bradford with Integreat Plus

• Gateshead with GT3 Architects 

• Greater Exeter, with Hilton Barnfield Architects and David Hawes 

• North Northamptonshire, with Fereday Pollard with Annie Lennox, David Cunningham and Bridget Sawyers

The full RIBA Future Places report is available here.