Architecture student installations capture spirit of 1951

Students will be reviving the spirit of 1951 with a series of talks and public installations as part of Southbank Centre’s Festival of Britain 60th anniversary celebrations in association with as the RIBA.

Throughout the summer a new festival bandstand designed by a Part 1 and Part 2 architecture student will play host to a range of outdoor activities.

It will be one of several key installations animating the site for the anniversary period from 22 April to 4 September.

Taking its inspiration from notions of play and performance, the bandstand is conceived as a revival of a very British structural icon.

Alex Whitby, RIBA London Council student representative, said: “The process has been a lot of fun and it is conceived very much in the spirit of Moya and Powell’s Skylon- themselves straight out of university when awarded the 1951 festival commission.

“It’s been a great opportunity to showcase our talents and the students are extremely grateful to RIBA London and Southbank Centre for their support and nurturing throughout.”

The bandstand is supported by two events celebrating postwar and festival architecture produced by RIBA London:

• Rebuilding the City - 1951 and Now on 3 July is with Elain Harwood from English Heritage and author and writer Owen Hatherley.
• The Skylon - Articulating the Future on 5 July is an evening celebrating the iconic structure with architects Nicholas Grimshaw and former RIBA president and Re-build the Skylon campigner Jack Pringle.

See more on the project on Facebook.