studiodare ARCHITECTS
Public Realm Brochure
“Satisfying the needs of people is a prerequisite for achieving social cohesion, which ultimately benefits society.�
Proposed view of Southwark Bridge
Public Realm Brochure Shaping the public realm The only constant in a city is change. In order to thrive and remain attractive to investors, London has to continually adapt to changing socio-political and economic conditions. However, with change comes disruption. One of the most disruptive aspects of change (or growth) is the provision of new or extended infrastructure facilities. One reason for this is that infrastructure projects are usually long-term and extend across property boundaries, thereby affecting a significant proportion of people for a long period of time. Infrastructure systems and facilities are ubiquitous and play a significant part in defining the city and the public realm, from power distribution and waste management to roads and railways. However, much of our infrastructure operates at levels just outside our design conscience – highway clutter in the shape of lighting, signals, signage, bus stops, etc. or the surface scars in roads and pavements caused by utility companies. Studiodare have recently begun researching the various ways in which different forms of infrastructure impact on the public realm. Our studies highlight an apparent (if not obvious) contradiction; although provided for the benefit of people infrastructure projects invariably impact negatively - directly and indirectly – on individuals. The impact of infrastructure may seem indiscriminate, in the sense that disruption (growth) is inevitable; however it is obvious that the design of the ‘system’ does involve some degree of ‘judgement’, or discrimination.
This judgement refers not only to technical matters relating to the construction or operation of the asset, but also to social and political matters that might influence the successful negotiation of the facility through the legislative process. In considering the impact of disruption on the built environment, or public realm, we noted the following: • Infrastructure systems and facilities are a necessary requirement for society to operate effectively. • Infrastructure is provided for the benefit of people – the end user, or beneficiary. • In percentage terms, people, as opposed to corporations or institutions, are the most impacted by the disruption caused by the provision of new infrastructure facilities. • In an expanding metropolis, change, or disruption, (to the built environment) will be a constant condition. • Unlike the design of buildings (icons), there is less persistent criticism of the damage caused by infrastructure on the design of the built environment. This includes everything from wind farms and electricity pylons to poorly repaired pavements and road surfaces. • Infrastructure projects are ‘engineer led’. This is not a criticism but it is fair to say engineers do not generally consider issues related to urban design or the public realm. Our research is not intended as a commentary on the way in which infrastructure is designed and implemented. Our aim is to explore opportunities for integrating infrastructure into the public realm and demonstrate the ease with which this can be achieved for the benefit of all.
Southwark Bridge Urban Park Under Studiodare’s proposal, priority usage of the bridge will shift from vehicles to pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge’s existing road surface and pavement will be levelled and landscaped, with cobbled paving defining a single traffic lane. By day vehicular access will be restricted to emergency services and cyclists while delivery services will be permitted to use the bridge overnight.
Site map
Studiodare’s proposal for Southwark Bridge has the potential to transform an underutilised section of utilitarian infrastructure into a new Central London public park.
London has always been famous for its economy of small street vendors; from traditional market stalls to the new wave of artisanal food sellers. Building on this entrepreneurial spirit, mobile retail outlets on the bridge will provide opportunities to engage and support the local economy, as well as enticing visitors. In addition, it is anticipated that food products ‘grown’ on the bridge, such as herbs, fruit and honey could be sold elsewhere; for example, at Borough Market, internationally famous for high quality food produce.
As a project that re-uses an existing structure, the design could be implemented in a relatively short timeframe. Equally, the low impact nature of the proposals would allow the highway to be reinstated in future if necessary.
Existing aerial view of the bridge
Proposed view of the bridge
Proposed aerial view of the bridge
studiodare ARCHITECTS Based on the agro-forest concept, densely planted wild flowers, herbs and grasses - designed to attract bees - will help create a green carpet. Fruit bearing trees and bushes will be sculpted and shaped to define external ‘rooms’ providing shade, while benches and seats will offer opportunities to relax and socialise.
Site map showing proposed touristic trail
Southwark Bridge is surrounded by internationally recognised tourist attractions including St. Paul’s, Tate Modern, The Globe, Borough Market, and Southwark Cathedral. However, the Millennium Bridge, which describes a single route, only encourages movement between Tate Britain and St Paul’s. Consequently much of the City to the east of St. Paul’s is not explored by tourists. Studiodare’s proposal shows how Southwark Bridge could help establish a tourist trail, or circuit, for exploring many of the existing amenities within the City, including churches and public spaces. Proposed views of the bridge
“Southwark Bridge has the potential to transform an underutilised infrastructure into a new Central London public park.”
Southwark Urban Garden
Site map
Existing view of Southwark Station roof
Proposed view of Southwark Station roof
Southwark Station, notable for its dramatic curved glass wall, was opened in 1999 as part of the Jubilee Extension.
Pursuing an interest in agro-forests and the urban ‘garden’, Studiodare Architects, whose directors managed the design of the station for MacCormac Jamieson Pritchard, has produced proposals for a new temporary garden and café on the station roof. Making up for a lack of open public space in the area, the new garden will provide a place to pause and relax. It will be enclosed by a timber screen that follows the circular plan of the ticket hall with perforations revealing glimpses of greenery to attract curious passers-by.
At street level, the station occupies a small urban block with the public entrance and ticket hall located at one corner. However, most of the site is undeveloped and still enclosed by timber hoarding, whilst the 14 storey building that the station is capable of supporting is yet to find a developer.
“The project is an ideal short-term use for a vacant urban site, providing an opportunity for community involvement in its actual implementation.” Proposed view from The Cut
studiodare ARCHITECTS A shallow set of stairs will take visitors onto the roof of the station and provide a South facing place to sit; a platform lift to one side provides step-free and service access. Below the stairs, facing the Cut, street level kiosks will add to the existing culture of stalls nearby. Designed as a short-term proposal however, all components can be built and dismantled without damage or change to the station. Encouraged by an increased prioritisation of open spaces by the London Mayor, Studiodare believe the project is an ideal short-term use for a vacant urban site. It also provides an opportunity for community involvement in its actual implementation. The cafĂŠ and kiosks could provide the key: the commercial leases would provide supervision and the revenue necessary to make the proposal profitable for the site owners, Transport for London.
Site map showing 4&8’ walk from Southwark Station
The site itself is located at a prominent corner on Blackfriars Road and the Cut, in an area of enormous urban renewal within walking distance of the Tate Modern and the Southbank. London Borough of Southwark has plans to transform the area and is currently working on Blackfriars Mile, a massive upgrade to the public realm around the road, which will only compound the problem of lack of public space. Proposed perspective of the Urban Garden
Alfred Place Alfred Place is an underutilised ‘back’ street off Tottenham Court Road in Central London. Although a very popular shopping street Tottenham Court Road lacks, along with much of Central London, quiet public spaces for sitting and relaxing. Our interest in this area was triggered by a call for ideas for the re-design of the Eisenhower Centre and LUL ventilation shafts. Rather than focus on one small part of the street, the Eisenhower Centre, we opted for a more comprehensive approach. Chenies Street
Alfred Place
Store Street
Proposed bird’s eye view
The starting point was simple; to ensure the design of the public realm responded primarily to the needs of people, not the functional requirements of infrastructure. We saw this as a design problem, not a paradox.
Tottenham Court Road
Proposed view from Alfred Place
By removing the surface level structures of the Eisenhower Centre we create the potential for a new ‘urban park’ extending from the North Crescent on Chenies Street to the South Crescent on Store Street, whilst simultaneously stimulating economic activity along Alfred Place.
studiodare ARCHITECTS Our proposition relocates the Eisenhower Centre building to a new basement level, retaining only intake/exhaust ducts and basement entrance at surface level. The War Memorial now acquires a new civic status, as the focal point along the axis linking both crescents. The new ventilation shafts are clad in polished stainless steel to reflect the cluster of slender stainless steel masts surrounding them. The masts, which blur the perception of mass, are designed to both conceal the shafts and reveal the North Crescent. They are also used to frame the War Memorial. At night the mast tips are illuminated to create a nocturnal sculpture. The masts march through the new urban park as lighting bollards and banners helping to achieve a unified urban design solution and establish a permanent connection with the South Crescent.
Proposed view from Chenies Street
“The design of the public realm responds primarily to the needs of people, not the functional requirements of infrastructure.�
Southwark Urban Bermondsey Street Garden Pop-up
Site map
The ‘pop-up’ was designed as a site specific response to the annual Bermondsey Street festival. The design is conceived as a temporary installation designed to fit within the width of the existing highway. The structure can be configured to provide a wide range of functional spaces, or enclosures, from stalls and exhibition spaces to cafes and a cinema.
Location plan showing temporary cars route through Lamb’s walk and Morocco Street
Proposed view from Tanner Street
live music
Proposed perspective of the Bermondsey Street Pop-up view of the bridge
films screening
studiodare ARCHITECTS Recycled timber joists are assembled to create a simple sculpted frame, or exoskeleton, which is protected from the elements (if necessary) using coloured tarpaulin sheet. The principles of the assembly can be extended to form tables, benches and raked seating. The frame is ‘sculpted’ by gradually adjusting the length of the various members relative to one another. This provides variety in the overall composition and form, whilst also enabling the modules, or units, to respond more directly to both site and programme.
The concept was developed to be completely flexible and adaptable to suit most sites. Using re-claimed timbers from building sites, the pop-up would be assembled as a series of modules. These would be ‘plugged’ together to provide a site specific programme. When no longer required the assembly would be dismantled and the modules, which might be garden shed sized, would be sold off individually as a self-assembly kit.
seating area
arts & crafts
street stalls: food and drinks
connexion with Tanner St. Park
kids zone
support of local businesses
exhibitions
“The system is completely adaptable and could easily be customised to provide facilities for the Southwark Bridge urban park project.”
Wandsworth Road Study VNEB
Wandsworth Road
Site map
The Wandsworth Road study began as an exercise in regeneration, in particular how ‘trickle down’ from the Nine Elms regeneration zone would benefit existing communities.
Proposed view of Wandsworth Road
During our work on the Northern Line Extension we assumed that the provision of a new station at Nine Elms would not only benefit the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea (VNEB) opportunity area, but would also benefit the local communities adjacent to the VNEB, including the Wandsworth Road area. Our initial impulse was to illustrate (to the local community) the ease with which the Wandsworth Road, which is part a major arterial route extending from Vauxhall to Clapham Junction, could be improved, and ‘regenerated’.
Focusing on a random stretch of the Wandsworth Road, which is typical of high streets across London, we produced two sets of images, the before and after views. Our aim was to show how a few simple gestures, such as the removal of visual clutter (‘for sale’ signs and satellite dishes), the addition of some planting and the repainting of the existing shop fronts, could transform an area. In terms of urban planning and regeneration the altered images are typical of high streets in the more affluent parts of London, and are a likely reflection of the actual effect of trickle down ‘regeneration’ on the Wandsworth Road. However, what struck us was not so much the effect this would have on the area, but the impact it would have on the local community.
studiodare ARCHITECTS The economic consequence of trickle down development is increased property and rental prices. Rather than supporting local communities such improvements tend to signify ‘gentrification’ and the ultimate displacement of the indigenous community and established local businesses.
Existing view of Wandsworth Road
If local communities are to benefit from trickle down improvements there needs to be some level of community engagement, or self-determination. For this to happen, communities need to be engaged. The question is, how do communities define themselves in modern society?
“How do communities define themselves in modern society?”
Proposed plan Southwark Bridge
Conclusion London, along with most major cities around the world, is locked into a cycle of constant and disruptive growth. With investment focused on the main cities, at the expense of the regions, workers will naturally migrate to the cities to find employment. This places a burden on the existing infrastructure, whilst simultaneously creating an increased demand for other goods and services – from housing and food to water and energy. The result is a vicious cycle of continuous growth and disruption. The following are some simple observations: • Population of London is set to increase by 1.5 million in the next 15 years. • Uncontrolled growth will significantly increase demand on the existing infrastructure. • New and improved facilities will be required to accommodate this demand.
• Given the boundary constraints of Greater London these new facilities / networks / systems will be located in closer proximity to larger numbers of people. • The consequences of uncontrolled growth will significantly affect larger numbers of the population with greater degrees of frequency. There is likely to be a tipping point where the quality of life of the urban dweller is significantly compromised by the infrastructure required to sustain the continued growth of the city. We don’t pretend to have the answers but we are keen to engage in constructive dialogue with other disciplines who are interested in exploring this subject in more detail. Under the subject heading ‘Public Realm’ please feel free to share your comments and thoughts at: studio@studiodare.com
studiodare ARCHITECTS
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