The End of an Era
Six month ago Fox Yard Studio embarked on a new adventure…. we welcomed a new Kickstart team in collaboration with our neighbours, Modece Architects. Days before the new team started, I came across an exciting project with Suffolk Libraries, who were taking applications to redesign Stowmarket Library’s outdoor space into a community garden. We thought we’d get everyone together to think up a design for the Library Project as the first task for the team. Our initial intention was to use this activity as an icebreaker through design charrettes, giving everyone a chance to get to know each other and get to know what our individual skills were and how we could contribute to a larger project proposal.
…Little did we know that our ‘Stitching Stowe’ proposal would be chosen by Suffolk Libraries!! We were thrilled to hear the news and we continued to work closely with the Kickstart team to bring the project to life. The team got on like a house on fire and it was great to see everyone work together so well.
Becky was our social media assistant and chief researcher, always keeping us up to speed with everything, she also created the wonderful fox illustrations that we’ve had on our website too! Lola, being the talented digital artist she is, produced the graphics for our posters and social media posts. Garth came into his own by assisting Modece Architects with bringing our initial ideas to life by drawing the plans up for the library space and the map of Stowmarket on the garden floor. Paying close attention to detail at every step, this ensured the garden construction proceeded without a hitch. And last but not least, Luke, who captured the whole process, always at hand with a camera and editing it all together to contribute to a legacy piece for everyone to have at the end of the Stitching Stowe project. Kaileigh and Emily later joined the Kickstart team and it didn’t take long for them to fit right in.
The following months was a whirlwind of activity as we held community engagement events at the Library, collected stories from the local community to weave them into the murals around the garden, then worked with the Library to choose the artists that would be painting said murals and much more behind the scenes once the physical garden space went under construction.
It just so happened that the Library Garden was launched 2 days before Becky, Garth, Lola and Luke’s placement finished. I couldn’t believe the timing of it all. It was a great opportunity for the team to gain experience, seeing this project from start to finish. We couldn’t have done it without them. It’s sad that their placements have come to an end but it’s been an absolute delight to work with them and also Modece Architects during the past six months!
From top left: Matthew Bell (Director of Modece Architects), Samanta Bell (Founder of Fox Yard Studio), Elene Chinchaladze (Modece), Ruben Santos (Modece & Kickstart Team Coordinator) and Andy Eliot (Modece). Front row from left: Lola Stewart, Becky Chandler, Emily Ray, Kaileigh Harewood, Garth Amos and Luke Penning (the Kickstart team!)
Read more about the Kickstart scheme at https://www.foxyardstudio.co.uk/kickstart