The six designs shortlisted for the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) and Wandsworth Council competition to improve the appearance and feel of Thessaly Road Railway Bridge have gone on show this week, as part of the festival’s programme of events this June. Local residents, businesses and schools are now invited to a public exhibition in the neighbourhood to give their feedback on the shortlisted designs.
The proposals follow a design competition launched earlier this year to improve the user experience for existing communities, pedestrians and cyclists on this key route between Battersea Park Road and Wandsworth Road. Open to architects, designers, artists and students, the designs strive to brighten the underpass and create an attractive space, in line with local residents’ aspirations for their public realm.
The six shortlisted teams are:
ArchitectureDoingPlace, West Port & Co, WriteTalkListen & Mary Evans
Mesh Workshop, Bigg Design and Matthew McGuinness
Each of the shortlisted teams developed their final designs having undertaken in depth work and research within the local area, with the winning proposal selected following consideration of the outcomes of the public exhibition and consultation with local communities. This will be judged by an expert panel, including Pam Alexander (chair, Covent Garden Market Authority), Amy Frearson (editorial director, Dezeen), Morag Myerscough (founder, Studio Myerscough), Clare Richards (founder, Footwork) and Tamsie Thomson (director, London Festival of Architecture).
The public exhibition showcasing the six shortlisted designs is running at the ROSE Community Centre on Ascalon Street, St George’s Church on Patmore Street, and on the railings of St George’s Primary School.
The winning team will be awarded £20,000, with their proposal developed and installed at the Thessaly Road Railway Bridge as part of the London Festival of Architecture in 2019, subject to achieving planning consent.
Tamsie Thomson, director of the London Festival of Architecture, said:
“The Thessaly Road Railway Bridge competition offers an excellent example of how architecture and design can be harnessed to make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of people. I’m delighted that local residents will now have the opportunity to have their say on the shortlisted designs, and be part of the process that will turn a neglected corner of the city into a much more attractive environment for local communities, and a vibrant showcase of London’s creative talent.”
Councillor Steffi Sutters, Wandsworth Council cabinet member for community services and open spaces, said:
“The Thessaly Road underpass, which is right next to St George’s Primary School, has long been overdue a make-over and I am delighted to see these vibrant designs, any one of which will make a real difference to the journeys of everyone who passes through. It is great to be working with the London Festival of Architecture on this project and getting the community directly involved in helping to choose a really creative design that will transform this community gateway. We are looking forward to hearing what local residents and people who use the underpass think of the six shortlisted proposals.”
The full press pack – including images of the six shortlisted designs – can be found here.
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