What If?

Set in Kingston College's Penny School Gallery, What If? reimagines the space as a temporary Kingston Urban Room. A civic environment inviting everyone to engage with the Borough's urban challenges, reflect on its past and present, and imagine its possible futures. Too often, the future is decided without the people who live in it. For most residents, the planning system is invisible - a notice on a lamppost, a decision already made. There is nowhere to explore hat's proposed, share concerns, or dream alternatives. The Urban Room model changes that. Whether you are an LDF visitor, a resident, student, planner or just curious about your surroundings, What If? invites you to ask: - What if we could shape Kingston together? - What if Kingston claimed its place on London's design map? - What if there was a permanent neutral space to help us do all of the above? An Urban Room is a civic space for public imagination - a place to engage with the built environment not just as it is, but as it might be. Kingston is a town with a story to tell. This year marks the 1100th anniversary of King Athelstan's coronation. A perfect moment to reflect on legacy, identity, and change. Kingston today is home to around 6,500 creative professionals - one of the highest concentrations in South London. It hosts Kingston University's School of Art, an internationally respected hub of creativity and innovation. Despite this richness, Kingston has remained oddly peripheral in the capital's cultural conversation. What If? is more than an exhibition, it is a spark. A place for people to meet, learn, question and co-create the future of Kingston. Join us in September!