Hats Off! Layer.studio Wins at the 2026 London Design Awards
Our innovative sculptural infrastructure for Stopford Park takes home a top prize in the Landscape Design category.
We are incredibly proud to announce that Layer.studio has been awarded Silver at the 2026 London Design Awards for Stopford Park’s Top Hat, an ambitious public installation in Stockport. Winning in the Landscape Design - Sculpture Design category is a fantastic recognition of our commitment to creating public realm interventions that are both visually striking and deeply purposeful.
Working alongside our client, Cityheart, and in collaboration with Sheilabird, we set out to create a focal point for Stopford Park that resonates with the town’s rich industrial history.
Drawing inspiration from Stockport’s renowned historic hat-making industry, the project reimagines the iconic top hat as a monumental sculptural landmark. It forms a central piece of the broader "If the Hat Fits" placemaking initiative, positioning the park as a vibrant space where local identity, history, and contemporary landscape design seamlessly intersect.
What makes Stopford Park’s Top Hat truly special is its dual purpose. We wanted to challenge the traditional boundaries between public art and environmental infrastructure.
At its core, the large-scale sculpture actually functions as an alternative, highly efficient ventilation system for the car park situated below. Crafted from perforated weathered steel—a direct material nod to the town’s industrial textures—the structure allows air to escape while establishing a bold, recognisable silhouette. As the sun sets, internal lighting transforms the hat into a glowing beacon, subtly referencing the glowing mills and chimneys that once defined the Stockport skyline.
A huge thank you to the London Design Awards for this award. Stopford Park Art Park was also shortlisted in the Future Public Realm category this year, you can read more about it here
