Kingsford Square (Shape Newham Projects)
Shape Newham launched in 2019 to co-design and install imaginative and original public space improvement projects across the borough. Local residents and businesses were invited to a series of community events and workshops to choose the location and priorities for each project.
In Beckton there are two Shape Newham installations both located in Kingsford Square (outside Beckton Globe). The installations are:
- “Everyone Is Welcome” is a mural developed through a series of workshops with the young members of Beckton Globe Youth Zone. The sessions helped the young people showcase their talents and capture the ideas and activities that take place at the Globe. The mural celebrates the importance of the building at the heart of the local community, with the Globe pictured as a microcosm animated by active figures, within a flowing landscape populated by motifs suggested in the workshops. It adds a much-needed splash of colour to the entrance of the building, sharing the young people’s hope for a better future. The design of the mural was led by the artist Van Dang, and the installation was completed in Spring 2021.
- “Kingsford Square Public Realm” has transformed the public space between Kingsford School and Beckton Globe. A series of interventions have been made across the square to enliven this public space, which now offers more reasons for people to spend time and enjoy the square. The existing grid of paving has been marked out to encourage new activities and games. Excess paving has been removed to create rain gardens around the existing trees, absorbing the surface water from the square. New playable stone seating kerbs have been added and a new circular plinth provides opportunities for gatherings and performances. The ned public realm was designed by CarverHaggard and the installation was completed in Summer 2023.
Views before installation:
Views after installation:
- Coming soon
The two installations located in Kingsford Square are part of the Council’s Shape Newham programme. For more information on this programme, including information on the community engagement process and locations of all the Shape Newham projects across Newham please visit the Shape Newham page.