This year, the streets of Soho will be lit up with brilliant lights designed by the children of Soho Parish Primary School. This will be the culmination of a unique community project that saw RIBA Architecture Ambassador Antonio Capelao team up with Soho Parish Primary School’s Art Lead Hannah Peaty and local Soho Florist Joao Rocha of Storm Flowers London.
For this design based project, Antonio was inspired by a school in Newburgh in Scotland who have been creating Christmas panels for the last 19 years. Because of coronavirus restrictions, Antonio introduced himself and delivered the design brief to the whole school simultaneously in two workshops via Zoom, where he asked the students of Soho Parish Primary to think about what the festive period means to them and how they would communicate this in lights for all to see.
In early May, a judging panel that included the RIBA, The National Gallery, Shaftesbury PLC, amenity group The Soho Society, St Anne’s Church, Storm Flowers London, Soho Ward Councillors, former students of Soho Parish Primary, and Antonio met to select the best designs by year group. Winners will be announced in early November and Blachere Illumination UK are currently working on turning these designs into 21 high tech lighting panels to be fitted to lamp posts across Soho and switched on on Tuesday 8 November for a uniquely local festive display which the children of Soho Parish Primary can be proud of.
"We’re so excited to be taking part in this project. As an Artsmark Platinum school, we highly value opportunities for children to engage in creative projects that will inspire and motivate them as well as serve the community. Seeing their artwork lit up around the streets of Soho will be such a Christmas gift and something to be proud of for many years to come" says Hannah Peaty, Senior Leader and Art Lead for Soho Parish Primary.
Architect Antonio Capelao is an Architecture Ambassador for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Find out more about how to take part in our initiative that partners architecture professionals with teachers to design and deliver creative architectural workshops in schools.
“Antonio first took part in our Architecture Ambassador initiative in 2018. Fully trained and experienced, he now continues to partner with teachers to deliver brilliant school projects. We’re so inspired and grateful for his unwavering enthusiasm and passion for education and outreach” says Bryony Abbott, RIBA’s Learning Assistant for Schools and Young People.
On Sunday 5 September 2021, from 12 to 6pm, the community will come together at the Soho Village Fete in St Anne's Churchyard to celebrate and raise money for the Soho Society. Antonio will be at the Fete to talk about the project and engage local families and children in a creative, architectural design activity ahead of the switch on event in November. Register via Eventbrite to attend the Soho Village Fete.
Further details about who will switch on the lights will be shared in the future; discussions are currently being held with YouTube and TikTok stars and a well known actress.
