Groucho Club Soho, 45 Dean Street, Bike Architecture Competition, News

Bike Stand at the Groucho Club

Make a Stand Competition London : Soho Design Contest winners

18 Jul 2012

Make a Stand – Groucho Club Soho

Address: 45 Dean St, London W1D 4PZ

The Groucho Club in Soho

The Aerogenerator Project, in association with Grimshaw and The Groucho club, is delighted to announce that Andy Barnes of Arup Associates has been named as the winner of ‘Make a Stand’. The open competition to design a bike stand outside the entrance to The Groucho Club, Soho was launched as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2012.

Make a Stand – winning design:

picture from architects

Judging for the competition took place at The Groucho Club in late June with a panel chaired by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw and including Clare Brass; designer, Director Sustain RCA, Emma Willis; fashion designer and entrepreneur, Tim Wilson; Head Chef at The Groucho Club and Jon Snow, Channel Four newscaster. Sir Nicholas named the winning design at Grimshaw’s LFA event ‘The Wheels of Chance’, prior to a debate about the nature of cycling in London, with all entries exhibited during the evening.

The competition called for submissions to develop an exemplary object of industrial design which could provide secure parking for at least five bikes within a budget of £1500. A total of 68 entries were received with the judges shortlisting designs which exemplified efficient material use and durability.

The favoured designs were both distinctive and able to blend into the urban landscape with minimal visual or spatial intervention. Andy Barnes’ entry was chosen for its innovative curved form and intuitive wall fixings. The design was described by Sir Nicholas as “a playful yet functional solution which was in tune to the values of the member’s club.” Part II Architectural Assistant Leo Robert was named as runner-up.

Make a Stand – runner-up:

picture from architects

Subject to planning approval the winning design will be built and installed at The Groucho Club, with both the winner and runner-up receiving a prize of bed and breakfast and dinner for two. The Aerogenerator Project is now helping Andy Barnes to develop his design for installation.

Make a Stand judges examining the space outside of the Groucho Club, Soho:

photos from Grimshaw

As a result of the competition, The Groucho club will also be developing a work experience programme with the New Horizon Youth Centre, for which Jon Snow is a patron. The programme hopes to generate valuable experience and references for participants from the centre.

Make a Stand Competition – Further Information

• A full range of entries from ‘Make a Stand’ can be viewed on flickr here: http://makeastandcompetition.tumblr.com/

• ‘The Wheels of Chance’ took place on Thursday 28th June at Grimshaw’s London studio. A celebration of cycling in London, the evening included a debate chaired by Jon Snow featuring, Peter Murray (Chairman of The London Festival of Architecture), German Dector Vega (London Director of Sustrans), Alexei Sayle (Comedian, actor and author) and Jolyon Brewis (CEO of Grimshaw).

• A selection of films were created for ‘The Wheels of Chance’ showcasing different cycling experiences within the capital. Participants include, comedian Ben Norris, newscaster Jon Snow, skier Chemmy Alcott, broadcaster Zeb Soanes, with music contributions from Kate Bush, Felix’s Machines, Luke Vibert and Gordon DeWitty. All can be viewed on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/user/WheelsOfChance?feature=mhee

• The Aerogenerator Project is a British designed next generation wind turbine technology founded by Theodore Bird. Further details can be found at www.windpower.ltd.uk

• The Groucho Club is a prestigious private members club founded in 1985 as an antidote to traditional London men’s clubs. The membership is mostly men and women preeminent in the Media and Arts. It is situated in the heart of Soho at 45 Dean Street, London W1.

• New Horizon Youth Centre aims to enable young people to gain skills and knowledge to improve their life chances and to help them move from adolescence into adulthood. They work with disadvantaged young people, many of whom have poor self esteem, low confidence, a history of rejection, harm and abuse. This also includes those who have experienced profoundly negative experiences of organisations, structures and the helping professions generally. Based in Kings Cross, the Somers Town area of London, the centre sees up to 3,000 young people a year and is open seven days a week.

Groucho Club Soho images / information from Grimshaw

Arup Associates

Grimshaw

Location: 45 Dean Street, Soho, London, England, UK