A new summer pavilion at Principal Place was inaugurated last week. Created by Foster + Partners in collaboration with Brookfield Properties for the London Festival of Architecture (LFA), ‘Radial' is built from readily available and reusable materials to ensure its sustainable legacy. The pavilion activates the plaza and offers a welcoming space for rest and contemplation.
Tom Bush, Associate Partner, Foster + Partners, said: "’Radial’ embodies the concept of sustainability by envisioning a life beyond its own existence. It seeks to redefine the narrative surrounding temporary structures, shifting focus from the lifespan of the building to the lifecycle of the materials, leaving a positive legacy beyond its temporary existence. Taking inspiration from other retrofit projects that we are working on, we aimed to use as much existing building fabric as possible and confronted the unavoidable wastage of materials. When given the chance to design a temporary structure, we led with the principles of reuse and circular economy, ensuring that the pavilion was responsible and environmentally sensitive.”
The Pavilion serves as a focal point on the plaza, fostering community engagement while prioritising environmental consciousness. Constructed from readily available and reusable materials, the building embodies principles of the circular economy.
Scaffolding forms the pavilion’s primary structure and can be reused at various sites across London. Additionally, the timber used for the curved wooden benches will be donated to community workshops for local projects. The pavilion also features a radial pattern of white, blue and red flags that provide shade and are made from 100% recycled waste. These are arranged according to a colour grading system developed by the climate scientist, Ed Hawkins, which reflects the earth’s rising temperature over the past 100 years. The flags will be repurposed into tote bags for distribution within the local neighbourhood at the end of the pavilion’s life.
‘Radial’ builds on Foster + Partners prior collaboration with Brookfield Properties during the 2023 EcoCity summit, through its ongoing reflection on sustainability. The project is also an exemplar of the practice’s approach to nurturing emerging talent, with apprentices playing an integral role within the design team. Since 2018, Foster + Partners has been delivering a range of apprenticeships that offer an alternative route to gaining qualifications, by combining practical experience in the workplace with academic training.
Alex Szal, Architectural Apprentice, Foster + Partners, said: “The pavilion was the perfect brief for me to work on at this point in my apprenticeship as I’ve been able to get to grips with every stage of a project within a relatively short timeframe. With support from mentors and input from senior members of the team, I had the chance to influence the design of the pavilion from the earliest stages. These projects provide important opportunities for apprentices like myself, without which, I would not have been able to achieve my ambition of changing career from property development to architecture."
A series of community events and workshops are planned throughout the summer. The pavilion is also part of Brookfield Properties’ community and occupier engagement initiative, ‘Activated,’ which offers a curated programme of cultural installations and activities.
Saff Williams, Curatorial Director, Brookfield Properties, said: “It’s wonderful to see ‘Radial’ launch as part of the LFA programme - this year’s theme, ‘reimagine,’ resonates through its inventive reinterpretation of reused materials. Foster + Partners has created an inviting and interactive space that draws in visitors and transforms this outdoor city space into a hub for gathering. Architecture is not just about buildings; it’s about the stories they tell, the connections they foster and the dreams they inspire. The pavilion will give those visiting Principal Place in the coming months the opportunity to create new stories.”
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Press release and photos courtesy of Foster + Partners
Photos ©Aaron Hargreaves / Foster + Partners
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