Farrer Huxley
Ambition A New Community Gateway Adjacent to New Covent Garden Market, and at the intersection of estates, new developments and schools, the ambition for Thessaly Road Bridge underpass was to provide a space designed with community that woul

Thessaly Road Competition

Nine Elms, London

Our runner-up proposal for the London Festival of Architecture celebrated Thessaly Road’s gastronomical and mutli-cultural heritage. A neglected underpass is transformed into a bold gateway through colourful, community-driven wall murals.
 
CGI by Farrer Huxley; selection of botanical illustrations courtesy of Jess Shepherd and Gesine Kilehoefer.

CGI by Farrer Huxley; selection of botanical illustrations courtesy of Jess Shepherd and Gesine Kilehoefer.

 
Type Regeneration, Community Engagement
Location Nine Elms, London Borough of Wandsworth
Scale 0.053 ha (530 sqm)
Proposal for refurbishment of railway bridge underpass
Client London Festival of Architecture, Wandsworth Council
 
 
Ambition A New Community Gateway Adjacent to New Covent Garden Market, and at the intersection of estates, new developments and schools, the ambition for Thessaly Road Bridge underpass was to provide a space designed with community that woul

Ambition

A New Community Gateway

Adjacent to New Covent Garden Market, and at the intersection of estates, new developments and schools, the ambition for Thessaly Road Bridge underpass was to provide a space designed with community that would bring people together around the concept of food.

Local dishes selected by Thessaly Road’s diverse community would be translated into illustrations by local artists, creating colourful tile murals that renew the gloomy underpass.

CGI by Farrer Huxley; selection of botanical illustrations courtesy of Jess Shepherd and Gesine Kilehoefer.

CGI by Farrer Huxley; selection of botanical illustrations courtesy of Jess Shepherd and Gesine Kilehoefer.

Impact

Local Identity and Ownership

Involving the Thessaly Road community in the development of a distinctive installation was intended to elicit a sense of pride and ownership.

Safe and Inviting

Our proposal aimed to create an inviting, attractive and user-friendly route for pedestrians and cyclists, bringing a safe and refreshed feel to the area.

Approach Food for Thought Local residents were invited to share their own recipes through a Farrer Huxley social media campaign - #neighbourhood_dish. These would inspire large botanical murals, bringing a rich and fresh character to the und

Approach

Food for Thought

Local residents were invited to share their own recipes through a Farrer Huxley social media campaign - #neighbourhood_dish. These would inspire large botanical murals, bringing a rich and fresh character to the underpass. Close-up, passers-by will find Thessaly’s favourite recipes interwoven into the design, inspiring them to pick a few herbs from the Edible Avenue and make a Thessaly Road dish when they get home.

A Celebration of Community

A street party would celebrate the re-opening of Thessaly Road Bridge. Local residents would be invited to join together around a large dining table and bring along their favourite home-made dish to share with the rest of the neighbourhood.

Safe and Inviting

The local recipes would adorn white glossy tiles, reflecting sun-light through the underpass and ensuring the space appears bright throughout the day. By night, linear lighting elements integrated into the roof’s structure would provide a well-lit and safe environment.