bandstand designed and built by students with the support of RIBA London has been unveiled at the Southbank Centre in London

The project is one of many additions to the riverside arts venue revealed this week as part of a centre’s Festival of the World programme running until 9 September. RIBA London looked to students after it was commissioned to design, build and install the structure as part of the venue’s summer festival programme for the second year running. Six students – Anisah Bhayat, Ricky Kwok, Wing-Shun Tang, Simon Phung,Robert Leather, Kirsty Smith – worked with RIBA London, StudioAR and last year’s bandstand designers to realise the project. RIBA London director Tamsie Thomson said: ‘During the recession many students are finding it difficult to gain the experience needed to progress to the next stage of their education. ‘This collaboration between RIBA London and the Southbank Centre allows us to help six students demonstrate their creative ability on a structure that will be seen by millions over this summer. It will go a long way to helping their careers during this difficult economic climate.’ Other installations at the riverside arts complex – which features the Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Hall – include a rooftop temporary restaurant by Milan-based Park Associati and a giant Baobab tree by Pirate Technics. Andrew Lock from Lyn Atelier, in partnership with TILT design studio has also completed a ‘Festival Village’ social space beneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall for the 4,000 artists working on the 8.5 hectare site this summer. Jude Kelly, Southbank Centre artistic director said: ‘Our Festival champions the idea that art holds the key to unlocking the imagination and can be a powerful agent for social change by highlighting projects that are transforming lives. ‘From across all continents, we are bringing together thousands of artists involved in working with and inspiring communities in a vastly eclectic range of projects, activities, performances and exhibitions.’