Sustainability sculpture project for London schools

The Ove Arup Foundation has supported a collaborative project between Artsdepot (Barnet, North London) and sustainable architecture practices Architype and Studio Polpo.

The project, to be run this autumn, will involve three schools exploring sustainability and the built environment. Pupils will create public art sculptures made of locally sourced sustainable products, which will form part of an exhibition at Artsdepot’s Apthorp Gallery before being installed within the relevant school’s grounds in 2022.

Artsdepot will select schools that have not benefitted from recent arts/education projects who are keen to invest time and staff resources in the project.

The collaborators will deliver three workshops in each school supported by Artsdepot staff teaching the young people about the impact on the environment of using different materials, as well as examining the building process.

They will support the young people through materials mapping and a design process with pupils selecting materials and completing drawings and design instructions. Pupils will consider where to site the sculptures, how they will respond to the site, and what the purpose and intention of the sculpture is.