THE TALE OF THE LAMPLIGHTER with MArch U5 (Kingston School of Art)

This project was developed as part of a brief to reimagine Kingston’s town centre and public realm through the eyes of an architect and a storyteller, using dreams, myths and fairytales as a tool to engage the community and revitalise its spaces.

The research behind this project focused on discovering ways to reimagine the nighttime economy of Kingston Town Centre through myths and ecology. Our research uncovered the historic candle industry of Kingston, which in turn inspired “The Path of the Lamplighter” - a story of a procession from the site of the old candle factory to the old candle shop on the market square.

Locals can now follow this path themselves in Kingston’s Light Procession and display their personally-crafted lanterns on a tower designed and built by the students of MArch Unit 5. An exciting and rewarding event that encouraged students to become designers, builders and storytellers, Kingston’s Light Procession allowed the people of Kingston to reclaim their public space when stolen by the night.

The structure, which can be disassembled and re-constructed in different sites, has become a key element of Kingston’s annual Light Procession, emerging in various areas as a way to revitalise underused spaces in Kingston’s town centre.

Photographs are credited to Ana Rose Layose Delmo.