London’s Chinatown to get ‘authentic’ makeover



Chinatown in London’s West End is to be made ‘more authentically Chinese’ under a design initiative led by The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment.


Lighting designers, as well as landscape designers, architects, artists and craftspeople, are being sought to work on the brief from Prince Charles’ urban design organisation.


Leading the project is the foundation’s director of design theory Ben Bolgar, although design procurement rests in the hands of Westminster City Council, which is developing the proposals in conjunction with the foundation.


Initial plans include creating a timber pagoda in Newport Place, a screen garden, gold lanterns and naming – based on ancient Chinese dragons – for the nine entrances and exits to the district.


Chinese mythology and feng shui will play a major role in the designs, according to Westminster City Council.


Details of the design-led elements of the plan will be revealed in September when a full report is published, with tenders launched in the winter.


Interested parties should contact Westminster Council’s project manager for Chinatown, Roger Austin.

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