Busy first year for Derby City Lab

In the first 12 months since it opened, the Derby City Lab has played host to several exhibitions by partners and other organisations – engaging with members of the public on a variety of topics.

Derby City Lab opened its doors for the first time in July last year to coincide with the day of Marketing Derby’s Derby Property Summit.

The very first exhibition hosted by the lab saw Down to Earth Derby showcase visions for a greener city, which had been produced by the world-leading Eden Project.

Over the summer, it was used by Derby City Council to engage with the public on its ‘Ambition Document’, hosting focus groups on ideas for a repurposed city centre.

Autumn saw the University of Derby wow visitors to the lab with hi-tech visions of how the city could be reimagined.

It showcased its DUST (Derby’s Urban Sustainable Transition) project, which creates an augmented reality representation of the city, capitalising on blueways and greenways to increase vibrancy and prosperity.

And the university’s estates department also used the lab to give an insight into its City Campus Masterplan, which focuses on the development of the area around One Friar Gate Square, Ford Street, Bridge Street, Agard Street and Nuns Street, in Derby’s west end.

In October, the City Lab played host to an exhibition by Lathams and Wates, which gave people an insight into the work going on behind the scenes to transform the Market Hall.

And the final exhibition of 2022 saw the University of Derby’s architecture students put on an inspiring display of visions for the city’s North Riverside area, which included 3D printed city models.

2023 has seen a continuation of the diverse programme – and the addition of a new City Living Room.

During this year’s FORMAT international photography festival, the lab hosted an exhibition by The Sustainable Photobook (SPP) network –  a group of photographers, publishers, academics and writers who discuss and share knowledge on issues around environmentally conscious approaches to photobook publishing in printed form.

Throughout FORMAT, the lab hosted an exhibition called The Sustainable Photobook – and was home to SPP’s Case Study Reading Room.

And during this year’s Derby Book Festival, the lab hosted a special ‘book drop’, accepting donations of pre-loved children’s books.

More than 500 books were collected, which have since been distributed by Derby Book Festival to local schools, nurseries and libraries to families who need them most.