This was a candidate project for the student portion of the London Festival of Architecture. To develop a temporary installation, Andrea collaborated with three spatial designers to create Marsh Pier. Using “reveal” and “escape” as guiding themes, the group proposed to transform Stamford Wharf Pier into Marsh Pier. Research revealed that people seek out piers to find a moment of quiet away from the crowds, an escape. Until the 15th century the entire South Bank was a thriving marshland. So the group asked the question, What if we brought the marshland back? And in doing so, gave people a way to escape the everyday and relax? To create this, hundreds of reeds would be installed surrounding the pier. Each reed would have colour marks for tidal levels and holes that would ‘whistle’ in the wind. The pier walkway would be covered in a weatherproof vinyl showing the silhouettes of native fish species of the river. The walkway would also feature benches in the shape of marsh mounds where people would be able to sit and relax. Visitors could then enjoy a repreive from the hustle bustle of the promenade and get a sense of the original environment of the South Bank.
Andrea collaborated with Ashley Roop, interior designer, and Mansee Dabral, journalist and writer, to develop spatial designs and a visual system for the Spirit Level, the Learning & Participation department’s space in the Royal Festival Hall. The narrative for this project was based on the idea that the Spirit Level is a secondary backstage with artist practice rooms and special artistic development programs. This concept was carried through by using custom designed flight cases as an archive system for L&P’s past projects and a way for them to share these with the public. All memorabilia from previous events would be stored within the cases and left around for people to explore or use as makeshift furniture. Walls in the Spirit Level would also be transformed into writing and drawing spaces with chalkboard paint. This would open up the presently closed-off feeling of the space, encouraging artists to communicate with each other. The Spirit Level would be transformed into a creative, interactive and flexible space. This project eventually fed into a live project.
This was a hypothetical project that was intended to inject John Lewis customers with enthusiasm for their Oxford Street store. Andrea teamed up with a brand designer, performance designer and marketing specialist. The group chose the narrative “revealing the personalities within John Lewis.” The proposal would be a week-long in-store event called the John Lewis Rideabout. Loyal customers would be able to take a tour in the store on a Segway and learn about the employee ‘partners’ on a more personal level through a series of interactions. Ending the tour on the 5th floor would be a relaxing area where the customers can have tea with the ‘partners.’ In addition the customers would be able to write about their experience in kiosks and send invites to friends and family for the event. This event would reinforce the trusting relationship that exists between John Lewis, its partners and the customers and would introduce a new and exciting way to shop.
