Plans for LOOSE.FM have been approved by the Royal Borough of Greenwich
Plans for a new community radio station, LOOSE.FM, at Greenwich’s Design District have been approved by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Housed in a specifically designed, converted shipping container – featuring oversized, illuminated eyes – the station will add to the mix of buildings at Design District on Greenwich Peninsula – and is set to become a landmark for creativity and community.
Designed in collaboration with architecture practice CAUKIN Studio – creators of the viral Skip House – the station brings a unique sensory experience to the site.
With a focus on fostering community, LOOSE.FM will welcome residents and visitors alike.
Adding a touch of playfulness to the creative campus, it joins other landmarks such as Design District’s rooftop basketball court and the distinctive bubble-like Canteen food hall.
Established in 2021, LOOSE.FM is a community station focused on “eclectic, experimental, ecstatic” sound and culture, with a diverse global network of over 300 contributors, DJs, producers and creators.
Scheduled to open in the spring, the radio platform will host live shows, public activations and community-centric events.
Mark Freeman, founder of LOOSE.FM, said: “Radio is such an important medium for creating a sense of connection and community. The move to Design District marks a big moment for everyone involved.
“Design District’s ethos, personality and vision align closely with our focus on giving emerging talent a platform to disrupt and innovate around culturally wide-ranging passions and interests.
“And CAUKIN’s design is the perfect representation of our joyful spirit and embrace of good times, which I think everyone needs right now.
“Since launching, LOOSE has given loads of emerging DJs and creators the opportunity to record their first live shows, and we’ve attracted a lot of established names, too.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve at Design District once the station is up and running, and what new avenues we can explore on the platform – especially around radio’s true power, which is in the imagination of the listener. And that’s limitless.”
CAUKIN’s design is both functional and whimsical. It features bold colours and repurposed building materials, such as scaffolding to create the impression of an animated face.
Giant illuminated eyeballs, animated by lighting designer Josh Space, sit on the roof of the container, while galvanised scaffolding has been used to allude to the physical structure and the green service window opens to mirror the function of a mouth.
In line with the principles of reuse showcased by CAUKIN’s previous project, Skip House, the structure for the station is provided by a re-purposed shipping container, which has been assessed and insulated in order to reach the acoustic performance needed for recording.
Joshua Peasley, co-founder and director of CAUKIN Studio, said: “Our practice was founded on the need for community infrastructure, so working with LOOSE.FM at Design District felt like a natural next collaboration.
“A site for local cultural exchange and global broadcast, the station will bring a brand-new experience to the campus’ diverse creative offering, welcoming residents and visitors alike.
“Our design is infused with wit and humour – where playfulness meets function – as an energetic reflection of LOOSE’s values: eclectic, experimental and ecstatic.
“We’re committed to the use of locally sourced materials and this project is no exception – an exercise in creative re-imagining through industrial materials, housed in a striking converted shipping container.
“A subtle nod to the ‘OO’ of LOOSE, the design is brought to life through movement and lighting, while the structure will be deliberately compact and versatile enough to make its way across the Peninsula.”
The compact nature of the container allows it to be easily transported, enabling the station to potentially relocate across Greenwich Peninsula in the future.
Casual seating will be added to the surrounding area, providing space for passersby to stop, pause and listen.
Programming for LOOSE.FM is currently underway ahead of the studio’s launch and will feature DJs and shows from its existing community alongside a fresh cast of newcomers, as well as a new speech and live podcast strand.
Laura Flanagan, director of the Design District, said: “LOOSE.FM captures what Design District is all about – community and creativity.
“Independent radio stations across London have faced challenges to keep the mics on in recent years but provide an important platform for culture, conversation and connection.
“It’s our mission to keep the creative sector at the heart of the city and it is particularly rewarding to be able to house another kind of creative organisation at Design District, where we hope it will flourish.
“We’re excited to see CAUKIN’s design take shape over the coming months as we get ready to welcome the public to visit the station in April.”
Design District, 13 Soames Walk, SE10 0AX
designdistrict.co.uk/journal/loosefm
Image by Secchi Smith
