Low Line Design Competition London 2019, RIBA Architecture Contest, Design, Images

Low Line Design Competition

London Bridge, Bermondsey & Bankside Architecture Contest in London, UK

9 Nov 2019

London Low Line Design Competition Shortlist

9 + 8 July 2019

RIBA Low Line Design Competition

RIBA International Competition | The Low Line

The Low Line, London’s emerging world-class walkway and destination which traces the path of the Victorian railway viaducts through Bankside, London Bridge and Bermondsey, is the subject of an international design competition, launched today by Better Bankside and the Low Line Steering Group, working with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The competition is supported by Lund Trust, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.

Southwark Road entrance to Flat Iron Square and W.T.P.A.:
Southwark Road entrance to Flat Iron Square and W.T.P.A.
photo : David Loftus

Managed by RIBA Competitions, the competition invites multi-disciplinary teams of architects, landscape architects, ecologists, engineers, artists and other professions to develop a green and creative vision and strategy to underpin the future development of the Low Line.

Type: open, international, two-stage
Fee: None
Language: English

Timetable: 2 September 2019 – Stage 1 deadline

The initial phase of the competition invites teams of architects, landscape architects, designers, ecologists and other design-related disciplines to submit designs anonymously, in digital format only. Five concept designs will then be shortlisted for further development. Each shortlisted designer will receive an honorarium of £4,000 + VAT. The winning team will be invited to develop the vision in greater detail.

Musicity x Low Line London Architecture

Vinegar Yard:
Vinegar Yard London
photo : @vinegaryardLDN

#LowLineLDN

The Low Line is a path through some of London’s oldest neighbourhoods, offering a new perspective on an immensely well-known but ever-evolving part of town. Following the historic rail viaducts just south of the River Thames, the corridor of the Low Line reveals hidden walkways and enclosed courtyards, connecting such great landmarks as the Tate Modern, Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge Station and beyond.

Ewer Street meadow, Southwark, South London, SE1:
Ewer Street meadow Southwark London
image courtesy of article provider

The Low Line links diverse neighbourhoods and communities, leading visitors off the beaten track and into areas of creativity, history, industry and entertainment, such as Union Yard Arches, Flat Iron Square and Vinegar Yard, Maltby Street and Bermondsey. It celebrates the heritage of the railway arches and unlocks the potential of derelict and forgotten sites.

Bankside – Union Yard Arches:
Bankside - Union Yard Arches London
photo : Adam Parker

The aim of the Low Line competition is to develop a unifying vision and strategy to inform the delivery of greening and biodiversity enhancements along and adjacent to the Low Line, that can help support social, environmental and economic well-being, and can be implemented organically over time as the Low Line route evolves.

Low Line Design Competition London
photos courtesy of article provider

The initial phase of the competition invites teams of architects, landscape architects, designers, ecologists and other design-related disciplines to submit designs anonymously, in digital format only. Five concept designs will then be shortlisted for further development. Each shortlisted designer will receive an honorarium of £4,000 + VAT. The winning team will be invited to develop the vision in greater detail. The closing date for initial stage entries is 2nd September 2019.

Low Line London plaque

For full details of the competition and how to enter please visit www.ribacompetitions.com/low_line

The evaluation panel includes Lisbet Rausing, Founder of Lund Trust, Graham Morrison, Partner at Allies and Morrison as the RIBA Adviser, and Adam White, President of the Landscape Institute.

Low Line London arch plaque

The Low Line has developed through a group of initial partners including Better Bankside, Team London Bridge, Blue Bermondsey, Southwark Council, the Arch Company, and Borough Market who are steering the initial scoping, planning and communication of the project. The Low Line name was coined by Southwark resident David Stephens.

Among the buildings, streets and spaces along the Low Line are Union Yard Arches (home of the Union Theatre, the Spanish Theatre Company’s Cervantes Theatre and The Africa Centre), Ewer Street (a secret part of Bankside just a stone’s throw from Tate Modern), Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge Station, Holyrood Street, Underdog Gallery, Maltby Street, the Biscuit Factory and the Blue Market.

Low Line London arch plaque UK

Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, founders, Lund Trust Said. “We are excited to be part of the Low Line project, which we hope will open a path for communities and nature to thrive. This competition is a chance to help shape plans for a green and biodiverse public space, and to inspire a vision for greener, healthier and more inclusive cities.”

Donald Hyslop, Chair of Better Bankside and the Low Line Steering Group Said “The Low Line is fast becoming a special public place for Londoners and visitors from all over the world. Our exciting new partnership with the Lund Trust and RIBA Competition offers the chance to plot its future. It is an opportunity to look afresh at one of the more special, intriguing, idiosyncratic and diverse neighbourhoods in London. We are looking forward to exploring new ideas that ensure a green and sustainable future of the Low Line and those living and working nearby.”

Graham Morrison, Partner, Allies and Morrison Said “The rail viaducts are an integral part of the character of Bankside, London Bridge and Bermondsey. As industrial infrastructure, they had long been a barrier but they are now being rediscovered, and this competition offers an ideal opportunity to knit them into the fabric of our neighbourhood.”

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. www.architecture.com

RIBA Low Line Design Competition arches

RIBA Low Line International Design Competition

Background:

Better Bankside is a Business Improvement District (BID) which exists to make Bankside a better place to work, live and visit. It is a company owned, funded and led by employers in the Bankside area of London. @betterbankside Betterbankside.co.uk

Working with partners and 400+ business members, Team London Bridge’s vision is to ensure London Bridge excels as a leading place for global commerce and continues to develop as a pioneering local centre for enterprise, culture and entertainment. @TeamLondonBdg Teamlondonbridge.co.uk

Blue Bermondsey BID is funded and led by local business for the benefit of local businesses. Activities are geared to address the issues that concern them and offer services to help reduce costs and represent businesses through a unified voice, to enable a better stake in the future of their trading environment. @bluebermondsey Bluebermondsey.co.uk

Lund Trust is a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin. It supports charities and causes they especially care about. Since 2002 Lund Trust has given $64.5 million to more than 350 organizations, in the UK and internationally. lundtrust.org.uk

RIBA Low Line International Design Competition information from RIBA

Location: London, England, UK

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