In pictures: RIBA London unveils Forgotten Spaces shortlist

Picked from over 150 entries, the 20 shortlisted schemes (see full list below) include imaginative uses for vacant back alleyways in Haringey, banks of the tidal Thames and the green central grass verges on Park Lane.

The winners will be announced on 26 May at the National Theatre alongside the launch of the exhibition of shortlisted entries, open until 4 July.

Top prize in the ideas-based competition for London practices is £5,000 with second place receiving £2,000 and third prize bagging £1,000.

Jeremy Titchen of competition backers Qatari Diar said: ‘I was particularly impressed by the exciting and diverse nature of the forgotten spaces and the very high standard of the submissions.

‘Ranging from “local solutions for local issues” to “big ideas” there were a great many innovative proposals that would, if implemented, make a real difference.’

Judith Salamon of London First added: ‘The sheer number of spaces across London was surprising.

‘The imagination applied to them was extremely impressive: it would be great if some of these projects could make it off the drawing board and into reality.’

Previous story (AJ 7.1.10)

RIBA London launches ‘Forgotten Spaces’

RIBA London, Design for London and developer Qatari Diar have teamed up to launch Forgotten Spaces, an ideas competition for areas of left-over land in London

The competition to transform a ‘forgotten space’ is open to students, artists, designers and architects. The competition has £8,000 of prize money up for grabs, split into three prizes of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000.

According to RIBA London, ‘Despite high demand for real estate in London, there still remain pockets of estranged land, which could be developed to provide improved links and amenities for local communities.’

The brief specifies that the ‘forgotten space’ could be ‘small or large – a grassy verge, a wasteland, an unused car park, a derelict building or underpass or flyover. The proposal could be simple or complex, commercial or public, a piece of public art or a new building, the only requirement is that it answers a need in the area and serves a function for the local community.’

Design for London, Qatari Diar and RIBA London will jointly announce the competition winners and award the cash prizes at the exhibition launch event on 25 May at the National Theatre.

The best proposals will be showcased in a public exhibition at The National Theatre in May 2010 on London’s Southbank (24 May – 4 July 2010), allowing people from all over London and visitors from further afield to view the proposals and provide professionals with a fantastic platform to exhibit their skills and insight.

Competition registration closes on 12 February 2010.

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