A historic green space in Croydon is closer to having a design as six architectural teams were this week invited to the second stage of the process.

Designers have been competing for the chance to create a new public space at the Fair Field, which has returned to its historic name having more recently been known as College Green or Fairfield Gardens.

In the heart of Croydon’s new cultural quarter, Fair Field will become a cultural, civic and community hub, providing the setting for and complementing the Fairfield Halls, which is reopening in September following a multi-million pound restoration, modernisation and expansion by the council.

The six teams through to the second stage, with those making up the bid in brackets, are:

• DSDHA (DSDHA; Todd Longstaffe Gowan; Alan Baxter Ltd; Studio Dekka)

• Expedition Engineering (West 8; Periscope; Donald Hyslop; Michael Grubb Studio Ltd; Expedition Engineering)

• Gustafson Porter + Bowman (Gustafson Porter + Bowman; BuroHappold; Jes Fernie; Soundings)

• Hassell (Hassell; We Made That; BuroHappold; Nigel Dunnett; Studio Dekka; Turf Projects)

• Martha Schwartz Partners (Martha Schwartz Partners; Tyrens UK; FutureCity; PLP; AKT II; CommonPlace; Light Bureau; The Fountain Workshop; Shape; ETM Associates; Habidation)

• MICA Architects (MICA Architects; OOZE; Charles Holland Architects; Adam Nathaniel Furman; eHRW; DHA Design Services Ltd.)

In total, 20 multidisciplinary teams made up of some of the best architects and landscape architects applied to design the space.

The council’s brief calls for the public space to be reinstated as an important place in its own right, incorporating the use of water, lighting and other innovative technologies.

The six teams have now been invited to make a more detailed response to the brief, including a high level concept design.

Councillor Paul Scott, cabinet lead for planning and regeneration, said: “We’re delighted to have attracted teams of leading landscape architects, urban and specialist designers who have expressed their interest in this exciting opportunity.

“We’ve got six teams that could all create the world class landmark space we envisage.

“We look forward to them now coming forward with some excellent proposals that will entertain and delight the community for many years to come, and create a fantastic setting for our refurbished Fairfield Halls.”