Brent Cross Town Wins Civic Trust Award

We’re pleased to announce that our substation and ‘Here We Come, Here We Rise’ the colourful artwork around it, created by artist Lakwena in collaboration with IF_DO architects, has won a Civic Trust Award.

Established in 1959, the award scheme recognises outstanding architecture, planning and design in the built environment.  Over the past 65 years, the scheme has celebrated and rewarded over 7000 projects that it believes have made a positive contribution to the local communities they serve.

The largest permanent public artwork in the UK, ‘Here We Come, Here We Rise’ is characterised by its kaleidoscopic visual effect and uplifting messaging, and turns a mundane structure into an inspirational beacon for the community. Its position at an intersection near the North Circular Road, M1 motorway, and Thameslink railway, means it is strategically placed to be seen by approximately 6 million people every year.

The civic trust praised the work for challenging the conventional perception of utilitarian infrastructure by transforming a functional necessity into an exuberant piece of public art.

This innovative structure is about more than just aesthetics: the substation will supply 100% renewable energy to the homes, offices and businesses of Brent Cross Town.

Indicative of our commitment to sustainability, the primary columns of the structure are built from salvaged oil pipelines, Earth Friendly Concrete and low cement concrete have been used to minimise environmental impact, and the building’s design takes advantage of natural ventilation, reducing operational emissions. The embankment around the brownfield site has also been rewilded with a wildflower meadow and trees to enhance biodiversity.

See more of what’s already at Brent Cross Town here, and keep up to date with our events and progress by signing up to our newsletter below and following us on Instagram.