Designing the way forward

16 July 2004

Sir Terry Farrell, one of the country's leading architects, has praised the redesigned Kensington High Street calling it: "The only properly designed street in the country for generations."

Sir Terry was guest of honour for the launch of 'Streetscape'; a new guide from the Royal Borough outlining the Council's urban design philosophy and use of imaginative and innovative design solutions.

Nearly a hundred urban designers, architects, journalists and council representatives from all over London attended the event on Tuesday 13 July at Leighton House, Holland Park Road.

Sir Terry went on to praise the Royal Borough for its forward thinking saying: "The guide establishes principles which will create an exemplary public realm for Kensington and Chelsea, setting the standard for the whole of London."

The guide shows how the Royal Borough intends to recapture London's pre-eminent international reputation for streetscape design that was enjoyed in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It explains how the Council is employing simple, classical design techniques, removing unnecessary clutter and using high quality materials and craftsmanship.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Daniel Moylan, said: "The way we design our public realm is intimately connected to our vision of society. We would never accept shabby design and unnecessary clutter in our private realms, so why should we endure it in our public spaces?"

The guide itself has been written with a wide audience in mind and is currently being marketed to professionals across the country.

For further information contact Media and Communications