Date
Summer 2026
Courtesy of Wayward &
andre kong studio
The Barnet Heritage Trail is a new creative wayfinding project that will connect communities across the borough from East to West, uncovering both well-known landmarks and hidden local stories. Developed through workshops, neighbourhood walks, and conversations with residents, the trail will bring together memories, myths, and histories that reflect the rich and diverse character of Barnet.
Working with local heritage partners and drawing on material from archives, the project will map stories of place, nature, and everyday life across the borough. These stories will be brought together through a printed and digital Barnet Heritage Trail map, alongside a series of permanent public realm interventions designed to help people navigate and experience Barnet in new ways.
Using light and shadow as a unifying visual language, the trail will highlight key locations and creative moments of discovery across the borough, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore Barnet's past and present while contributing to a growing portrait of its communities.
"We're thrilled to be collaborating with Barnet Council once more - this time to bring the Barnet Heritage Trail to life. More than a map, it’s a layered invitation: a constellation of crafted markers woven through the public realm, guiding residents and visitors towards the places and stories that shape Barnet’s identity. Inspired by the theme of light and flight, we've been playing with shadow and reflection, turning pavements into storytellers and transforming wayfinding into something immersive and alive."
(Andre Sampaio Kong)
About the Practice
Wayward is a London-based landscape, art and architecture practice – an award-winning collective of designers, artists and urban growers. Since 2006, Wayward has pioneered new methodologies in the creative use of underutilised land and meanwhile spaces, transforming derelict sites into large-scale, design-driven spaces that engage local communities and inspire international audiences. For the past decade, Wayward has designed and tested innovative new social, cultural and economic models for sustainable green spaces.
Wayward takes a unique approach to landscape through the creation of narrative environments. Their projects express stories that connect people through nature, creating vibrant places which are productive, meaningful and imaginative. Their projects are platforms for collaboration, experimentation and creative innovation.
“We are really excited to be designing the Barnet Heritage Trail as part of the Light + Flight programme. Inspired by the pioneering filmmaker Lotte Reiniger, a notable Barnet resident, we led a series of shadow puppetry workshops that invited residents to share stories about the borough. In collaboration with Andre Kong Studio, these stories have been transformed into an interactive trail map and a series of wayfinding installations across Barnet. As Wayward begins a longer presence in the borough through the Wayward Plants Reuse Centre at our meanwhile site Cultivate Colindale, this commission feels especially meaningful.”
(Thomas Kendall, Wayward)
About The Studio
Andre kong studio is an emerging, award-winning architecture and design studio based in London telling stories through international projects across different typologies and scales. They are led by site-specific ideas and processes, not style and believe in the power of design to solve problems, big and small.
They love design that is playful, expressive and delightful. They explore local materials, processes and technologies that we can combine to unlock new ideas and build tomorrow’s traditions. Their design focuses on creating better, diverse and inclusive places for everyone to enjoy, without harming the environment.
Light + Flight is presented by Art in Barnet. It is supported by a Cultural Impact Award, part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture programme. It is made possible with additional support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.