Low Line Design Competition Winner

Low Line Design Competition Winner 2020, RIBA Architecture Contest News, Images

Low Line Design Competition Winner News

five shortlisted designs for London Bridge, Bermondsey & Bankside Architecture Contest in London, UK

8 Jan 2020

RIBA Low Line International Design Competition Winner

PDP London architects win ‘Low Line’ competition

‘The Low Line Commons’

PDP London architects’ have won the RIBA international design competition to create a new green vision and strategy for South London’s Low Line.

Following the path forged by the railway viaducts through Bankside, London Bridge and Bermondsey, the Low Line stretches through some of London’s oldest neighbourhoods, connecting communities and offering a distinct perspective on an immensely well-known but ever-evolving part of town.

‘The Low Line Commons’ design by PDP London architects – for Enid Street:
Low Line Design Competition Shortlisted design - Low Line Commons

The Low Line will unlock the potential of our Victorian rail arches – opening up a walkway that runs along the base of the viaducts to create a new spine, supporting breathing spaces and a flourishing mix of small and medium sized businesses.

The Low Line project will incrementally unfold as different opportunities and strands of funding become available. Having a coherent and creative green vision for the project will ensure that it can be delivered with sustainability at its heart and have benefits for people and wildlife.

‘The Low Line Commons’ design by PDP London architects – for Bombay Street:
'The Low Line Commons' design by PDP London architects - for Bombay Street

The winning concept, The Low Line Commons, was conceived by PDP London architects, working with Macfarlane and Associates Landscape Architects, Greengage sustainability consultants and Studio 4215 environment consultants.

It puts the local community, as well as nature, at the heart of the project. The design offers four interlinked themes to help guide the emerging Low Line: productive green infrastructure; convivial public space; diverse and green economy; and historical and cultural connections.

‘The Low Line Commons’ design by PDP London architects – for Holyrood Street:
Low Line Commons design by PDP London architects for Holyrood Street London

The Low Line will create accessible new green connections and incorporate a variety of ecological interventions, helping to improve local air quality and create a healthier environment. It proposes a sustainable drainage system using ecological engineering methods, such as bioswale planting, and street-level rain gardens, to avoid surface flooding and store water. The project features increased green infrastructure – tree planting, community gardens and wildlife habitats – to help create a ‘sense of place’ for the community and encourage more people to visit the Low Line.

Pedro Roos, Partner at PDP London Architects, said ‘We are delighted to have been announced as the winners of the competition. Low Line Commons aspires to be a shared natural and cultural resource of the people, by the people and for the people. It aims to transform the arches from being a barrier to a seam sensitively knitted into the multiple layers of the local context. We look forward to working with the client team in developing the Low Line as a robust piece of infrastructure for London that creatively tackles the current environmental, economic and social challenges head-on.’

‘The Low Line Commons’ design by PDP London architects – for America Street:
'The Low Line Commons' design by PDP London architects - for America Street

Donald Hyslop, Chair of Better Bankside and the Low Line Steering Group, said: “It was great to see so many entries to the competition, from local to global applicants. Given the Low Line meanders through all sorts of neighbourhoods, the Low Line Commons stood out by really addressing the intricacies of the project and making people its chief concern – with communities and ecology at its heart.”

Lisbet Rausing, co-founder of Lund Trust, said: “I am delighted to have supported this competition, which attracted many excellent visions for the Low Line as a place where nature and people can flourish and prosper. Congratulations to the winners, whose design offers a thoughtful and inclusive approach and shows how public space can be transformed to provide vital connections between communities, the built and natural environment, and the history and future of the area.”

Shaun Mobsby, Asset Management Director at The Arch Company said, “We’re delighted to be working with the Low Line Steering Group partners including the Better Bankside team to realise the potential of the arches and viaducts along the Low Line route. The winning competition entry, Low Line Commons, provides an exciting vision for developing vibrant, sustainable, and community-focused spaces that offer opportunities for entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses to thrive. We are excited to be a part of bringing this vision to life.”

The Low Line competition was commissioned by Better Bankside on behalf of the Low Line Steering Group.

The other shortlisted entries were:

• A plan to create A Circular Low Line to celebrate local values, while creating a world-class walkway by Madrid-based Gutiérrez-delaFuente Arquitectos SLP working with BAC Engineering Consultancy Group and Drama Visualisations.
• The introduction of Crossings and Clearings to improve the coherence of the Low Line, enable new routes and revive disused spaces by Ludwig Willis Architects working with Howard Miller Landscape and Shortwork.
• A green Breathing Spaces walking route aiming to improve health and encourage nature into the city by Matthew Halsall Design Studio working with Civic Engineers, Green Infrastructure Consultancy, NTR Planning and Cundall Engineering
• A Low Line Assembly Toolkit to enable local people to make a significant difference to their environments by Weston Williamson + Partners working with Arup and Exterior Architecture,

Previously on e-architect:

9 Nov 2019

RIBA Low Line International Design Competition Shortlist

Low Line international design competition

Low Line Design Competition Shortlist, RIBA Contest

LL52 – Crossings, Clearings and Parades
Low Line Design Competition Shortlisted design - Crossings, Clearings and Parades

LL69 – Low Line Commons
Low Line Design Competition Shortlisted design -  Low Line Commons

LL143 – Breathing Spaces
Low Line Design Competition Shortlisted design -  Breathing Spaces

LL162 – Low Line Assembly Toolkit
Low Line Design Competition Shortlisted design - Low Line Assembly Toolkit

LL185 – A Circular Low Line
RIBA Low Line Design Competition Shortlisted entry -  A Circular Low Line

Low Line Design Competition London: RIBA Contest

Musicity x Low Line London Architecture

Low Line Commons London Design Award

www.ribacompetitions.com/low_line

RIBA Low Line International Design Competition information from RIBA

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