AIU London Students Unveil Hovering Allotment Garden Project

May 17, 2012

American Intercontinental University (AIU) London Interior Design students proudly announce the unveiling of an innovative design of a hovering allotment garden, developed to serve a diverse and multi-cultural community around Grenville Gardens in Islington.

In collaboration with renowned engineers Buro Happold, a team of Interior Design students in their final year at AIU have designed a Plug-in Allotment Garden commissioned by Islington Council and FROGG (FRiends of Greenville Gardens) who represent the community.

Built on a site contaminated by the presence of Japanese knotweed, an alternate ground condition was required in the form of raised bed boxes “on stilts” so that they are not in physical contact with the ground. 

Realized with the help of Murphy Group contractors and additional ‘architects networks’ acting as consultants, the project consists of 18 individual wooden planters each built and stewarded by an individual family in the surrounding community. Each plugs into an elevated wooden structure and watering system that channels harvested rainwater collected from an adjacent rooftop. The design, inspired by the forms of agricultural communities that have developed along river floodplains, mimics a branching river that distributes water to wherever it is needed. Individuals can chose where they want to place their allotment box in relation to the water source and height they require. The planters are positioned at different heights and modules that can be chosen throughout the structure in order to cater children, the elderly and all residents of the community.

The project was developed in the framework of an Interior Design course directed by esigner Ittai Frank where students were given a chance to engage with actual people with needs and demands and gain hands on real world experience in overseeing a projects development from concept to realization. The design process developed in the course combined the use of digital design tools with community led assembly and fabrication. 

AIU London student, Dimitri Eristavi, 22, said: “This project is a great opportunity to start understanding how the actual client/designer relationship works. Furthermore, it is a very interesting case as this project provides unique collaboration between the design team and the local community."

By creating a micro environment that condenses actual neighbourhood dynamics to a scale of an allotment garden structure, each individual in the community physically builds an intrinsic part of the overall whole. The form develops bottom up and the entire structure becomes a living entity, open for change and growth as more individuals get involved and contribute their part. This strategy was developed so the project is open ended and can continue to evolve long after it ends and create a focal point for the community. 

The unveiling ceremony of the project will take place on 9th of June at 2:00pm.

For more information on the project, please visit http://bottomupdesignbuild.wordpress.com

Notes to Editors

AIU Design Team members:

Project Director: Ittai Frank
External Instructor: Luke Epp (Buro Happold)
Design Lead: Denisa Guler, Dimiriti Eristavi
Design Team: Nora Ahmeti, Elisa Kauto, Nesma Al Sherif , Loujeine Kamoun
ID Program Chair: Mark Gower

AIU London has four key faculties: Business, Fashion, Interior Design and Visual Communication and offers US and UK bachelor's degrees, as well as a Masters in Business Administration.  Students can study one course and earn two degrees, one British and one American. AIU London design programs are validated by the University for the Creative Arts www.ucreative.ac.uk to award BA (Hons) degrees in Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Fashion Marketing and Design, Interior Design and Visual Communication. The AIU London business program is validated by Buckinghamshire New University www.bucks.ac.uk to award BA (Hons) degrees in Business Administration.”

About American InterContinental University
Founded in 1970, American InterContinental University offers a wide range of associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs in fashion, interior design, international business and visual communication. AIU offers a blend of online and on campus learning, and has campuses in London and in the United States in Atlanta, Houston and Weston, Florida. AIU is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information visit www.aiuniv.edu. 
AIU – London - Registered in England No: 1373237 Registered Office: 66 Chiltern  Street London W1U 4TJ. AIU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, a regional accreditor in the United States. For more information visit www.ncahlc.org.  AIU cannot guarantee employment or salary.  Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.aiuniv.edu/disclosures.

For all press enquiries please contact Lydia Turner at Eden Cancan on lydia.turner@edencancan.com  020 7467 9404