ARCHITECTURE students have created designs which they claim have the potential to ‘save Poole High Street’.

The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) students will unveil their ideas at two exhibitions tomorrow as part of the Light Up Poole Festival, which runs until Saturday.

Taking inspiration from the town’s heritage in craft, the students’ designs aim to tackle ‘the decline of the High Street’ and re-connect the two sides of Poole’s town centre.

The project is a result of an ongoing collaboration between the architecture course students and Poole BID, and forms part of the Poole 2058 – an initiative which explores alternative ways of living and working in Poole over the next 40 years, as well as tackling how the town’s heritage and memories can be weaved into this future vision.

The students’ first exhibition, Poole alternate living and working, will explore how illuminating the town at different times of day can create a sense of openness.

The second, Poole atmospheres, tones and experiences, will look at bringing the history of the town into its future, through tonal colours and materials relating to Poole. The exhibitions will be held in AUB Architecture Containers on the High Street and at Poole Quay.

Course leader Simon Beeson said: “The designs of the students offer the chance for people to take a glimpse at the potential futures of Poole and how the town may evolve over the next four decades.

“At AUB we pride ourselves on working closely with regional organisations and stakeholders, not only to offer opportunities to our students but to also give back to the community.

“The time and dedication from our students involved in this activity demonstrates how much they care about the community they are living in, improving it for themselves and others. There is a wealth of skill being nurtured at AUB, and this project is an example of how young creative talent can be harnessed and shared to maximum effect.”

Student projects include designs of Poole Park, which have been illuminated in distinct ways to create public squares and facilitate ‘community moments’.

Other sketches include re-worked elevations of the High Street, which build on existing structures and make subtle changes that fully maximise the spaces.

The work of three of the undergraduate students - Alex Weston, Adam Stanford and Ben Palmer - has also been displayed in the British Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale in Italy, with funding by the British Council, along with the masters student cohort, who led the project.