The Stephen Lawrence Centre opens to inspire future architects
A new centre has been opened which aims to inspire and support budding architects and urban designers.
The Stephen Lawrence Centre in Deptford, south London was officially opened by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone on 7 February. The centre is an enduring celebration of Stephen’s life, which was cut short in 1993.
Stephen dreamt of becoming an architect. In building the centre the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust aims to create a place for community learning and social research that will encourage young people to pursue careers in architecture and associated professions involving urban design and urban renewal.
The centre's ‘Youth, Creativity and Urban Design’ curriculum offers academic and vocational programmes in partnership with business and academic institutions. The in-house curriculum and outreach activities for schools primarily target young people aged 14 to 25 years who are living in poverty.
The trust intends to prove that high expectations and a nurturing
environment can turn the tide of low achievement in deprived inner-city
communities.
Funded by the trust and through commercial and public-sector contributions, activities at the centre aim to bring tangible, life-changing benefits to this country’s most vulnerable communities by forging relationships with industry leaders and professional associations, and adding value to investors’ contributions.
Doreen Lawrence OBE, director of the trust, said: "Today marks the fulfilment of the trust's vision, to create a fitting and lasting legacy for the life of Stephen.
"Although Stephen was so tragically denied the chance to realise his dream of becoming an architect, the Stephen Lawrence Centre will provide opportunities for young people to realise their aspirations in urban design.”
