Architecture student Jan Macbean awarded runner-up for WW+P Future of Transport Student Prize

Jan’s proposal for ‘A Paddington Pollution Solution and the Westway Garden Path’ compromises two phases. The first phase, ‘A Paddington Pollution Solution’, seeks to manage the dangerously high levels of air pollution around the Paddington Basin through isolating CO2 and NO2 with algae from the canal. A parasitic structure suspends the two laboratory modules that house the technology for processing algae and generating electricity, allowing the building to be self-sufficient. 

The forum of ‘A Paddington Pollution Solution’ acts as a space in which information about the impact of pollution is passed to the public through art, installations, seminars and workshops. This makes the exchange of knowledge accessible and help shift the narrative on pollution and urban land use.

 ‘The Westway Garden Path’ is the culmination of phase one where the land once lost to cars is rightfully returned to the community, and local residents without gardens are allotted a plot. This new abundance of community run outdoor space aims to promote healthy habits such as growing your own food and spending more time outdoors. The elevated path also provides a safe route for cyclists and pedestrians travelling into and out of West Central London.

During his second year of study, Jan completed his project on civic transport, focusing on the new emphasis on personal health in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the fit to the competition brief, he decided to submit his work to the competition. He is eager to resolve problems of land use, public space, ecology and fossil fuel dependence, and will continue exploring the use of modular and parasitic structures in a public space during his third year of studies. 

Talking about the award, Jan Macbean said: “I was pleasantly surprised to hear I had made it as a finalist, and would be attending the Company's Master and Wardens installation service and lunch. This was especially interesting as I had spent my first year learning about the various histories of Livery Companies and the roles they play today. I was delighted to receive the runner up award, especially as the winners' project was nothing short of awe-inspiring - an honour in its own right.

“I look forward to bringing this momentum into my third year project, developing my understanding of transport and how it might be the catalyst for changing our priorities within our automotive centric cities.”

Dr William McLean, Principal Lecturer from the School of Architecture + Cities, added: “Jan’s brilliantly inventive ‘Paddington Pollution Solution’ deftly connects the very different transport systems of the Westway and Grand Union canal creating a community energy system that simultaneously cleans the air - he modestly describes his design as parasitic - it is actually a very elegant symbiotic system.”

Find out more about the prize and Jan’s project on the WW+P website.