Plans to open up a railway arch in Wandsworth to pedestrians have been shown off following an architectural competition.
The winning design has been created by the emerging architecture practice Projects Office, and with a nod to Nine Elms’ railway heritage, the design, ‘Tunnel Visions’ will see Projects Office work with local people to reimagine traditional railway station ‘daggerboards’.
Online sessions, and later in-person workshops, where possible, will enable participants to create their own repeat patterns which will be applied to cut timber façades that will then line both entrances to the railway arches.
Their proposal includes a funnel archway highlighting the tunnel’s southern entrance with integrated seating and lighting, a decorative arch to the north, a ‘community totem’ which glows at night and plentiful planting.
The ‘Tunnel Visions’ design was judged to demonstrate the best balance between innovation and artistic merit as well as showing deliverability and robustness for long term maintenance, themes that emerged from public feedback.
Projects Office will now aim to deliver the project ahead of the scheduled opening of the Northern Line Extension in Autumn 2021.
Should have been made of Lego!
I’m somewhat disappointed that this is the winner, I think it’ll end up looking drab and austere – there were IMO much better, brighter entries to the contest such as Two Halves Made Whole by The Klassnik Corporation and Echoes by Katrina Russell Adams and BAT Studio.
This location is tucked between drab high rise buildings and is going to feel dark and miserable, especially in the rain, and the tunnel itself is longer than many of the presentations indicated – there are 8 tracks along the viaduct above. A bit more colour and vibrant interest would have been welcome. There’s a reason similar tunnels in Vauxhall have been decorated brightly.
Still, at least we’re getting a walking route that isn’t just a drippy old arch tunnel.
And located between Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station. Nice.