Earls Court Masterplan
Community engagement programme to inform 40 acre development
‘Working with Dinah, Rallou and the team has been transformative for our young people.
'Their voices have not only shaped inclusive design proposals but also shaped who they are becoming - as students, leaders, and creators.
'ZCD’s commitment to co-design has given our members real influence and real opportunity, making this a model for what youth-centred engagement should look like.’
Abdi Aden, Earls Court Youth Club
Location: Earls Court, London
Client: The Earls Court Development Company
Masterplan: Hawkins Brown + Studio Egret West
Landscape Architect: SLA
Year: 2021- ongoing
Earls Court is a 40-acre site in central London, previously the Earls Court Exhibition Centres and straddles the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The development is being led by The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC).
Image credits: Madeleine Waller
ECDC are committed to creating an inclusive development and commissioned ZCD Architects to help them put together a diverse panel of 15 local people - young people, disabled people, carers and older people who have a range of lived experiences, requirements, and support needs. ‘The Public Realm Inclusivity Panel’ (PRIP) meets monthly and through a series of creative co-design workshops, explores and interrogates the emerging masterplan, giving help and advice to the design team as they develop their proposals.
Image credits: Madeleine Waller
Through facilitating the PRIP, paying close attention to their feedback and highlighting their needs, ZCD Architects are helping ECDC and the design team to make sure the PRIP’s input has an impact on the masterplan.
Image credits: Harry Pseftoudis
I love the fact that everyone has a voice, and we are all able to offer our unique perspective on the task in hand. You frame the sessions really well. There is the right amount of time for each project, and you make them as fun as possible. I love being part of the process.
PRIP Member
Image credits: Harry Pseftoudis
We have had very deep and insightful discussions with the PRIP and their feedback is directly informing the design and the process; it is impossible to overstate the value that this process has brought, not simply to the design process but to the mindset and outlook of the whole team. With the expert support of ZCD the confidence and skills of the members of the PRIP have grown and, though they have different experiences, abilities and needs, they have come together to tackle hard issues.
Rebekah Paczek
Director of Public Affairs at ECDC
Image credits: Ben Fischer
PRIP film 2023
PRIP film 2024
To find out more about the impact of our work with the Public Realm Inclusivity Panel, click and download our summary reports below
