WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF OUR FUTURE BY DESIGN COP26 OPEN CALL IS COVE PARK, AN INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS’ RESIDENCY LOCATED ON SCOTLAND'S WEST COAST.

 

Cove Park brings together Ghanaian-Filipino agro-waste designer Mae-ling Lokko and Scottish architect Tom Morton of Arc Architects to collaboratively design a hybrid, eco-sustainable and accessible ‘open landscape classroom’ on the 50-acre site where Cove Park resides. They will work in collaboration with a multidisciplinary cohort of young people from across Scotland – including students from the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow – and the interdisciplinary Ashesi Entrepreneurship Center in Ghana, to co-design and co-programme spaces that are conducive to knowledge exchange around the impacts of climate change on water – an urgent issue in both countries.

 

Francesca Bertolotti-Bailey, CEO, Cove Park says: "We are deeply grateful to be working with the British Council on this ambitious collaboration that marks the beginning of Cove Park’s new and permanent enquiry into environmental sustainability and climate action. Radical cooperation at a local and international level is at the core of all of our programmes, as is the belief in the power of collective intelligence to navigate and respond to the most complex issue of our times. We trust that this project will produce a replicable methodology for participatory design and inspire young talents to develop their practice in uncompromising ways."

 

Sevra Davis, Director of Architecture Design Fashion, British Council says: "The British Council is delighted to announce this commission with Cove Park, students in Ghana and Scotland and the design community to stimulate global conversations about climate change and to inspire transformational change ahead of COP26 in November 2021. Activating the voices of young people around the world through design was core to our ambitions for this open call and this co-design, co-build project demonstrates thought leadership, global collaboration and climate activism through a new and exciting approach."

 

JURY REFLECTIONS

The jury celebrated the proposal for its focus on engaging young people through a collaborative and action-based process, giving them the agency to discuss, design and experiment within their local and global contexts of the UK and Ghana. The proposal aims to share learnings on how to co-design for climate change and promotes long-term opportunities through Cove Park’s new, permanent environmental enquiry, which starts with this project.

 

“It was appreciated for the cultural and educational exchange that is mutually enriching for both institutions. The learning opportunities for all and the lasting impact of the processes initiated will have a ripple effect in collaboration across borders.”

Anupama Kundoo, Indian architect, based between Auroville and Berlin 

 

"This is a very site-specific, action-based proposal, which promises to develop a prototype learning environment and take thought leadership into practice, testing and developing ideas on the ground. It reminds us that responding to climate change requires an appreciation for physical contexts, dialogue towards action and space for experimentation to prepare us for the future.”

Parvinder Marwaha, Design Programme Manager at British Council

 

“I really liked this project as I feel it is authentic and is one which I could envisage myself in. The project includes a physical end goal and is one which is highly educational and will be very engaging for young people!”

Samihah Mudabbir, member of British Council’s Our Shared Cultural Heritage young people collective and storytelling and community producer intern at Manchester Museum

 

"It’s an exemplary model for what true collaboration across different disciplines and backgrounds looks like. I was particularly drawn to the inclusive nature of the project, which allows for anyone to participate in the conversation and have a seat at the table."

Wilson Oryema, Artist, writer, and entrepreneur, co-founder of the social change initiative, Regenerative Futures

 

PARTNER REFLECTIONS

"We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on two very different Atlantic coastal contexts connected by the daunting common challenge of flooding. We hope that the global virtual exchange and local design-build experiences ahead activate and reinforce each other’s capacity to face that challenge together."

Mae-ling Lokko, Ghanaian-Filipino agro-waste designer

 

"This is an exciting project showcasing for COP26 some emerging approaches to sustainable and generative construction. In their future careers, these young designers won’t be building with the high carbon methods commonly used today, which contribute so much to the rising sea levels, landslides and flooding that threaten both of our countries. We will explore how biocomposite materials and co-creative design can be a step-change in addressing our common global challenges."

Tom Morton, Director, Arc Architects