East Bank: A New Cultural Identity

What is the long-term vision for East Bank and how will its masterplan integrate into its surrounding communities and neighbourhoods?

East Bank brings together leading cultural institutions such as UCL, UAL’s London College of Fashion, V&A East, Sadler's Wells, and BBC Music, blurring innovation, creativity and education. Integrating a new centre in London’s already thriving cultural sector requires an intuitive placemaking model that responds to the public’s needs.

First, we will hear about the Stratford Waterfront masterplan, its shared use of public realm and its impact on residential neighbourhoods. How have these institutions been designed to collaborate?

Then we will focus on the V&A East, which not only provides a new public museum, but builds on the V&A's founding mission to make the arts accessible to all. How has the building been designed around access to the public? And how will its programme provide an opportunity to create a long-standing legacy for local community engagement? How will it support arts education in the long term?

This breakfast talk will dissect the design, masterplan, and strategies behind these institutions and how they will impact the public realm surrounding East Bank in the long term.