Zaha Hadid Architects and Thornhill Primary School Design a Flood-Resilient Islington for 2050
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), the international multi-award-winning practice, returned to Thornhill Primary School this summer. Their mission: to reimagine the local neighbourhood as a flood-resistant, resilient community in the year 2050.
Over five weeks, ZHA’s Jennifer Durand and Nurul Fauzi guided the children from an abstract concept to a professional presentation of their ideas. The project began with the 9-and-10-year-olds analysing the complex relationship our cities have with water. The pivotal third week saw ideas for coping with too much and too little water take physical form, as the children translated their creative concepts drawn on whiteboards, into 3D models made from cardboard, masking tape, and straws.
“We have to be ready”
Year 5 child in focus group, Thornhill Primary School
A visit to the ZHA offices offered a thrilling glimpse into the life of an architect which included presentations from the architectural experts, before the final week in the classroom dedicated to refining their plans and drawings. Armed with new knowledge and inspiration, the children worked in groups to develop their concepts, their “boundless creativity” (Nurul, ZHA) becoming the project’s driving force.
“The children asked a lot of questions about being an architect” reflected ZHA’s Jennifer Durand “I explained we have to think like engineers when solving a problem.”
The winning designs, selected by an expert panel, were then digitally elaborated by ZHA’s team. In a fascinating fusion of children’s imagination and cutting-edge technology, the child-groups’ concepts were carefully studied by the ZHA team and developed further using various digital design tools before being professionally rendered. Special thanks is due to ZHA’s Design team—Clemens, Alex, Prasanna, and Yiying—for demonstrating how modern technology can be a powerful tool to help us re-imagine our future.
The children were recognised with awards for ‘Most Imaginative Idea’, celebrating a city full of creative possibilities; ‘Future Engineer Award’, for engineering the cities of tomorrow; and ‘Idea Expression Award’, for a design with a compelling narrative.
“Coming to schools helps spreads awareness. Doing this whole project is teaching us about climate change.”
Year 5 child in focus group, Thornhill Primary School
Perhaps the most powerful outcome was the sense of agency the project fostered. As one year 5 pupil from a Thornhill focus group said: “Doing this project also helps [one feel less worried] because you know that there are people who care and are trying to produce things to stop climate change.”
CCAC is delighted with the outcome of this continuing partnership and extends its gratitude to the pupils and staff of Thornhill Primary School, to Jennifer, Nurul, and the wider team at Zaha Hadid Architects for their generosity and visionary work.
“I often forget that people outside of architecture approach climate change from a very different perspective. Working with the children was a refreshing reminder. Seeing them take on the role of architects and urban designers to express their own ideas about living with climate change and their relationship with water was truly inspiring.”
Nurul Fauzi from Zaha Hadid Architects
