Royal College of Art Service Design Collaboration 2024
October 2023 – February 2024 | RCA & Regent’s Canal
Institutional Collaboration • Research & Academic • Service Design • Regenerative Waterways
Project Overview
Originally initiated as a student project at the Royal College of Art (RCA), Canal Dream returned to the Service Design programme as a partner. In collaboration with Floating Classroom and Global Generation, we supported 20 MA Service Design students and tutors in exploring four key themes for canal regeneration: Floating Business, Boaters' Needs & Wellbeing, Recycle & Environment, and Public Participation & Digital Intervention. Through site visits, boat trips, story walks, and workshops, the project bridged academic research with lived experiences and hands-on prototyping—regenerating and repurposing London’s hidden infrastructure.
Highlights
Boat Trip
To gain firsthand experience of London's waterways, students embarked on an immersive boat trip through Paddington Basin and Little Venice, generously hosted by Floating Classroom. Led by Lead Teacher Flora Pickering, the journey included traversing tunnels and exploring the past and present of Regent’s Canal through vivid storytelling. Students reflected on their experiences through poetry and drawing, deepening their connection to the canal.
Story Walk
Guided by Laura Price, Floating Garden and Programmes Manager of Global Generation, students participated in a story walk through King’s Cross, tracing the hidden River Fleet and the industrial Regent’s Canal. One was buried by history, the other shaped history—but both continue to impact the city and its people. Along the way, students paused to observe, reflect, and reconnect with the landscape through senses and stories. The walk concluded at the Floating Garden, where participants enjoyed herbal tea and shared their wishes for the water—a moment to reflect on the past and imagine the future.
Workshops & Prototyping
Alongside Canal Dream, Floating Classroom, and Global Generation, we facilitated two key workshops at RCA:
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Discovery Workshop – Identifying challenges and opportunities
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Prototyping Workshop – Testing ideas and gathering feedback
Floating Classroom also generously supported the students' prototyping sessions on board. In February, students presented their final projects to partners—more than just a showcase of ideas, this was a prototype for cross-sector collaboration, bringing together academia, local culture, environment, and education to reimagine the future of our canals.
Acknowledgments
This project was guided by:
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RCA Tutor: Dr. Richard Atkinson, Senior Tutor, RCA Service Design
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Partner organisation's staff: Chuntian Hu, Laura Price, Cameron Drysdale
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Advisory support: Paddy Screech
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to shaping a more sustainable and thriving waterway.
Photo by: Shubhangi Pandey