A preview of RIBA's “Beyond Borders” installations, opening next month

Spreading messages of social tolerance and equity are as crucial now as they have ever been, especially in recent months when much of headlining global news is disheartening to read. In this spirit, RIBA will be hosting its “Beyond Borders” architecture exhibition opening early next month in London and Liverpool. Today, they announced the four participating designers selected from an open call, which invited architects to “propose ideas that reach beyond borders”.

The four selected architects — Doing Bits Studio, Max Dewdney Architects, Merrett Houmøller, and MMAS — will work alongside the RIBA Young People's Forum to develop and realize the site-specific installations in time for the July 3 opening.

“These projects were chosen because of the imaginative way in which they soften or remove the physical and psychological borders that can divide society,” RIBA Exhibition Curator Anna Holsgrove said. “We hope they will provoke debate and inspire new ways of engaging with architectural ideas in London and Liverpool.”

Read on for more about the installations.

Interface to Place – a process of transforming a ‘Peace Wall’ by MMAS – at RIBA, London, W1; July 3 - September 17

“Designed to be situated at any interface structure in Northern Ireland, MMAS proposes adapting a section of wall into a pair of gates-come-benches that open to create a public space straddling the divide between neighbourhoods, some separated for several generations. The project corresponds with the government’s strategic commitment to remove the interface structures by 2023. MMAS are currently working with communities at an interface in one area to develop their design idea. A documentation of their progress will be shown at the RIBA.”

Humanity is Unity by Doing Bits Studio – at RIBA North, Liverpool; July 4 - September 17

Doing Bits Studio’s project is “an interactive installation, developed with local asylum seekers and refugees, as a symbol of inclusivity and social integration. Visitors are encouraged to weave coloured fabric through the structure, allowing the installation to develop over the course of the exhibition period. Gradually, an entangled and evolving symbol of acceptance, integration and unity is produced. Once deconstructed, the installation will be unwoven and the material utilised to run a series of craft activities for asylum seekers and refugees.”

The Periscopic Pavilion by Max Dewdney Architects – at RIBA, London, W1; July 3 - September 17

“The pavilion provides an intimate space with three periscopic viewing chimneys to look beyond physical boundaries, allowing visitors to see the world in new and unexpected ways. The concept of ‘looking beyond’ refers to both military instruments and to an unexpected form, aiming to challenge expectations of space and consider how perception is vital tool of understanding physical, political and cultural boundaries. It is intended that the pavilion will be semi-permanently installed at the University of Greenwich after September.”

The Refugees and Befriending Project by Merrett Houmøller – at RIBA, London, W1; July 3 - September 17

“This project brings vulnerable young people together who have crossed borders to get to the UK. Facilitated by British Red Cross volunteers and staff, the outdoor packaway unit provides space for young asylum seekers and refugees in the UK to gather, to cook and eat a meal, as well as the chance to have fun, build confidence and improve their English. Using mealtimes as a starting point, it attempts to address the shared tensions, aspirations and debate that surrounds immigration and the global refugee crisis. The mobile unit is designed to move between communities following its installation at the RIBA.”

In the meantime, RIBA will showcase 11 other designs proposed for the temporary exhibition space to host Beyond Borders at 53-55 East Street, Elephant and Castle from June 7-25. One of these proposals will be realized as the exhibition space for Beyond Borders. Learn more about the opening event in the link below.

All images courtesy of RIBA.