Three LSA alumni win LFA Pews and Perches design competition

Quincy and Betty are London based architectural designers who create architecture that puts people first, gives them agency and celebrates the everyday. Both having studied at the London School of Architecture, Quincy is currently completing his studies after two years at RCKa, and Betty is a Young Trustee at the Architecture Foundation and an architectural assistant at Waugh Thistleton.

Duncan Graham, Betty Owoo and Quincy Haynes have been named as winners the Pews and Perches design competition run by the London Festival of Architecture and the Royal Docks Team.

Entering as two teams (Betty and Quincy joining forces), the winners will see their designs for a public bench realised, being installed around the Royal Docks area in November ahead of the LFA’s 2020 autumn season.

Competition entrants were encouraged to offer installations that could become a conversation starter and enhance people’s connection with nature and the docks’ built environment, through their design vision as well as creative and sustainable material choices.

Duncan is an East London-based designer and a recent Part II graduate of the London School of Architecture, where he researched the future of public spaces in the city. His work seeks to bring joy into urban environments through the design of playful everyday objects.

The competition judging panel comprised:

• Dan Bridge (Programme Director in the Royal Docks)
• Tamsie Thomson (Managing Director, New London Architecture)
• Frances Williams, (Technical Editor, Architects’ Journal)
• Pedro Gil (Founder, Studio Gil)
• Rawnak Jassm (Community Engagement Officer, Royal Docks Team)
• Kevin Twyford (Principal Landscape Architect, London Borough of Newham)

Tamsie Thomson, Managing Director of New London Architecture, said:

“One of the joys of life in my role is giving opportunities to emerging architects through competitions such as ‘Pews and Perches’. At a difficult time for young architects and designers, this is more important and valuable than ever. This year’s cohort impressed us all with a fantastic range of ideas, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them take shape across the Royal Docks later in the year.”

Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham and Chair of the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone Board, said:

“It’s fantastic to see future architects and designers being influenced for a second year by the unique space that encompasses the Royal Docks. With its special combination of land and water, drawing on the traditional and historical significance of the area, it encourages a peek into undiscovered future possibilities. It’s no wonder that the entries this year have been of such a high calibre and a real challenge for the judges to narrow down. I believe that this part of London highlights the diversity of opportunity that exists for all and I know that the winning designs will complement the already impressive public realm vision taking shape across the Royal Docks.”

Read more about the competition on the LFA’s website.