Freedom Cycle and Skate Project

Through the amazing hard work and commitment of children from the Aylesbury Estate, Southwark, co-ordinated by Brenton Smith (Southwark Play Service), a simple, dirt cycle track evolved in the heart of Burgess Park, Southwark in 2004. The cycle track has grown in popularity with local young people, who work with Brenton to repair and maintain reclaimed bicycles for free use at the track. The track has developed into a place where children are encouraged to play, learn and inter-act, in an environment fostering discipline and mutual respect.

Through introductions by Aylesbury NDC, The Facility worked with Brenton Smith, to look into ways of improving the facilities and access available to the track's users.

Currently there are no funds available to develop a building and only temporary shipping containers are used for storage/maintainance.

The Freedom Cycle Project was instigated by the Facility Architects and Mr Smith as a way to involve the end users, in the fundraising and design of improved public facilities. The Facility sought funding for and enlisted three local schools; Michael Faraday Primary School, Walworth Secondary School and Southwark College involving one hundred and twenty three, 9-21 year olds, to work with a multi-disciplinary team of creative professionals; including artists, architects, software designers, photgraphers and film makers to contribute design ideas towards future improved facilities for the local cycle track.

The aim was to embed local young peoples' ideas in the design process from day one and work up the best ideas to form the basis of a BIG lottery capital funding bid in 2006/7.

By recycling existing elements on the site, we are creating a 2-storey building from converted shipping containers that incorporates moveable walls and roofs which pivot on hydraulic gaskets. The site will be self-sustainable with all waste water being processed via a reed-bed system, and the lighting being powered by photo-voltaic cells. With funding from the Arts Council, an important aspect of the project was to work with local schools, colleges and community groups to become part of the design team for the project via an interactive 'gaming style' website. There is also a scheme to train young people in building techniques and to apply these skills on this live building project.

As part of the project we have also reworked the existing landscape to become a BMX/Play track, working closely with Southwark CGS Team.

The project is looking into creating new community facilities for an existing cycle track. The Facility is looking into enhancing and recycling existing elements on the site which include creating a 2-storey building from converted shipping containers that will incorporate moveable walls and roofs which pivot on hydraulic gaskets. The site will be self-sustainable with all waste water being processed via a reed-bed system, and the lighting being powered by photo-voltaic cells. The surrounding landscape will be planted to create a wildlife enriched habitat. An important aspect of the project will be to encourage local schools, colleges and community groups to become part of the design team for the project via an interactive website. There is also a scheme to train young people in building skills and to apply these skills on this live building project.