Open Site proved a roaring success for the projects that opened their doors to an inquisitive public, says Matt Dawson, relationship development manager at the Association of Consulting Engineers.
When the Association of Consulting Engineer’s Progress Network decided to persuade construction sites across to London to open their doors, we could hardly have dreamt for such an overwhelming response.
Over 4,000 ordinary Londoners turned up over the course of the weekend to get a first hand view of the buildings and structures that will mark the capital's skyline for the foreseeable future.
The success of OpenSite shows that contrary to popular belief the public does have a genuine interest in engineering and construction and we were delighted to enable the public to get a real flavour of the complexities and excitement surrounding some of London’s landmark projects.
Volunteers from our Progress Network were on hand at Wembley, CTRL St Pancras, Heathrow Terminal 5, Kings College and City Academy Southwark, to answer questions from enthusiastic people with a genuine interest in the projects.
Many of the sites were inundated with people eager to get a glimpse of the work that goes on to translate drawings into reality.
Presentations and models were on display, and site tours were given to maximise the experience and to leave those who came along with a lasting flavour of the London of the future.
OpenSite, run in collaboration with Open House London, is in its second year having grown from the success of last year’s event. We hope that our existing sites coupled with new partnerships will grow the event even more in 2005.
