Project 24 breathes new life into Bangor

Opened to the public in April 2013, Project 24 is an innovative and impressive regeneration project which has captured the public’s interest, bringing vibrancy and interest to Bangor, a polular seaside town in Northern Ireland.

The project utilises 6 bespoke, colourful art pods each split into two mini artist studios where artists take residency. The art pods are customised shipping containers, seen as light boxes with a fluid and translucent environment allowing visitors to experience different moods and atmospheres depending on the season and time of day.

Modern materials, modern furnishings and excellent lighting have helped to create this welcoming, vibrant, engaging and creative space. The area around the art pods is landscaped with an event space ‘The Hub’, seating and a community garden.                                                   

The project is an excellent example of sustainability as it embodies the three pillars of sustainable development:

Economic Sustainability – Project 24 helps to create new markets for artists to be able to sell their products. It includes increases the business skills of local artists so that they can use these skills to better manage their businesses and increase their future economic sustainability. As Project 24 bridges a once derelict gap between Main Street and Pickie Fun Park, it offers a better experience for vistors to Bangor and in this way it helps contributes to the local economy.

Social Sustainability – Project 24 provides a much needed green space in an urban environment. The landscaping enables people to sit and enjoy the area while interacting with other people. Well-being is improved by local communities being able to enjoy the fact that a derelict site and its associated anti-social behaviour has been transformed into a vibrant, well-utilised and safe space. A knock on social impact has been the clean up of additional spaces in the Queens Parade vicinity for use in an urban art scheme.

Environmental Sustainability – The creation of an urban habitat in the form of a community garden that includes bee friendly species as well as space for fruit and vegetables to be grown. 

Read the full Project 24 case study here.

For news on events at Project 24 please visit the website.

Project 24 is an Ards and North Down Borough Council project. Contact Emma Adair for more information.