Architects, designers and artists were invited to draw up ‘bold and creative’ concepts for a new public space on Camden High Street, which will be used this autumn as part of a trial pedestrianisation of the street.
The competition is backed by the London Borough of Camden, which is running an 18-month pedestrianisation trial this year and next. The competition set out to enhance Camden’s public realm while also supporting local communities and creating a lasting legacy for the area.
Edgy Collective and LINDA’s winning proposal, which has not yet been publicly revealed, was selected for its innovative interpretation of the theme ‘square’, and its potential to transform the high street into a vibrant, inclusive, and pedestrian-friendly public space that reflects the area’s dynamic community
The team said: ‘We’re thrilled to get the chance to prove that sustainable design isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s the future of urban public space. Greener, wilder, more thoughtful streets aren’t a dream – they’re a design decision.’
LFA director Rosa Rogina said: ‘What stood out about Edgy Collective and LINDA’s proposal is how it reclaims one of London’s busiest streets with intelligence, flair, and a real sensitivity to the spirit of Camden.
‘From the bold use of the road itself as a social spine, to the clever adaptability of the planter structures, the design doesn’t just create a square, it reshapes how public space can function in a layered, lively urban setting. I’m excited to see how this bold and brilliant vision evolves through the pedestrianisation trial and begins to take shape on the ground.’
Camden High Street links Camden Town underground station with Camden Lock and the nearby Camden Market. Last summer, the council consulted on plans to pedestrianise the street as a new motor traffic-free zone.
The contest sought ‘bold and creative’ proposals which ‘respond to the theme of ‘square’, reinterpreting the concept spatially, socially, or playfully to foster meaningful connections between people and place’.
Round one applications were evaluated 60 per cent on team profile and 40 per cent on initial vision. Shortlisted teams each received a £1,000 honorarium to draw up design proposals during the contest’s second round.
The winning design will be developed in collaboration with Camden Council. The project has a total budget of around £100,000, which includes a £12,500 design fee for the appointed team.
The announcement comes three years after NOOMA Studio won an earlier LFA competition for a ‘creative’ £25,000 public realm installation in nearby Phoenix Road, Somers Town, central London.
The winners: Edgy Collective and LINDA
Edgy Collective, co-founded by Adrienne Lau, Daniella Levene and Leila Taheri, is a multidisciplinary team that reimagines spaces with a deep commitment to place, community and ecological consciousness.
Blending design and communication expertise with public engagement and horticultural knowledge, its work spans rewilding installations, ecological community-building, food growing and nature conservation.
Edgy Collective collaborates with Susanna Grant of LINDA, a leading garden designer and urban ecology consultant. Grant specialises in biodiverse, habitat-rich urban gardens, placing plants and wildlife at the heart of her designs. Her approach champions nature-first principles and the creative reuse of materials to protect and enhance existing ecosystems.