The Chicken Coop Playground Part 1 Project 2019 Octavio Clausen Soares Buchartts Kingston University Kingston | UK The chicken coop playground is the rebranding of Thamesmead, a modernist estate in South East London, through the addition of a public park that amplifies the contrast between the ordinary and the unusual architectural forms and programmes. The project is twofold, firstly consisting of 12 new buildings (follies) that are carefully positioned along the landscape. Each folly is occupied by two opposing programmes, creating an unconventional but intriguing atmosphere. The programmes are carefully selected to cater to the residents and visitors of different age groups promoting inter-generational social interactions. This helps to lift and transform Thamesmead from a place of bad reputation related to crime to a tourist destination with idiosyncratic characteristics. Secondly, the improvement of the existing social housing stock, which was studied in detail, revealing that although the park was beautiful with mature trees and established wildlife, the blocked off gardens, small windows and cramped living spaces did not allow the residents to take full advantage of the site. To combat this the terraces were extended with new winter gardens, providing light and space for the residents to inhabit. The outcome is a logical, simple and straightforward home, creating a generic backdrop to the eccentric park. Octavio Clausen Soares Buchartts Tutor(s) Lena EmanuelsenMr Tim Gough