Bill Webb and Ben Stuart, Able co-founders

A CURIOUS contraption that will lure people in to explore the hidden gems of Fitzrovia will be unveiled next month.

The structure, whose final look is being kept firmly under wraps, is part of a month-long installation for the London Festival of Architecture and will be in place in Warren Street, aweek period – how people use the busy West End side street.

Architects Bill Webb and Ben Stuart are based in Fitzrovia and their practice, Able, won a competition to create something on the theme “Reimagine”.

Both Bill and Ben worked for the architects Make for 10 years and designed major developments in London and abroad.

Three years ago the friends set up Able, a Fitzrovia-based firm.

While the plans are being kept closely guarded to create a big reveal on the day, the Extra has learnt that part of the project will see Warren Street closed to traffic on certain days, a new look to the area outside Warren Street Underground station, and plenty of extra seating and space.

Mr Webb said: “We thought of Fitzrovia as a bit of a warren. And that made us think of Rabbit Warren Street, a one-liner people could easily understand.

“Fitzrovia is an amazing place but it is often overlooked”, he said.

“People go past it on the Euston Road, heading out of London, or go south to Tottenham Court Road.

“It has a community of designers, illustrators, makers, a real place for creatives, but the person walking on the street may not know that.

“One of our priorities is to celebrate that, celebrate the wonderful stuff that is happening here.”

Other elements include installing new benches for people to stop and linger and the Rabbit Warren Street installation will reimagine the entry into Fitzrovia via Warren Street guiding people to less polluted and safer routes through Fitzrovia, while showing off its history.

With a number of “challenging junctions” leading in Fitzrovia, the practice hopes its temporary plans may be taken up as permanent solutions.

Mr Webb said: “We can’t reveal too much, but we are building a structure that holds art, sculpture and a map of Fitzrovia with information about what is here.”

Business group The Fitzrovia Partnership has masterminded the project.

Chief operating officer Lee Lyons said: “We’re excited that Fitzrovia will be a new destination in the LFA [London Festival of Architecture] and showcase our first placemaking intervention. ‘Reimagine’ couldn’t be more applicable for our area as we rethink how our outdoor spaces and public realm can be adapted to be more sustainable economically, socially and environmentally.

“The creative process of making positive interventions to reimagine challenging spaces which can then change perceptions and behaviour is exciting and progressive.

“It benefits residents, workers and visitors and contributes to a more sustainable future.”

The launch of the Rabbit Warren is to be on Thursday June 6 with a street party.