A linear pedestrian park,GlowGrowGrassPark, connecting neighbourhoods and providing an intriguing and unique leisure resource. The layered elements reference local archaeology by emulating the ebb and flow of the Thames, lying unseen, only 200 metres away. The landscaping incorporates planting from trees and grasses that thrive under low UV light levels.

Site selected: Crucifix Lane
Architectural practice: The Facility
Submitted by: Claire Price, Steven Fitzwilliam

Design rationale
The London Bridge/Bermondsey area holds a rich, layered history that has shaped the development of London from its emergence as a major leather curing district during the Industrial Revolution, through to the present day where London Bridge sustains an important commercial and leisure district.

Our proposal
We feel that any successful development of the arches should reflect this varied history and be inspired by the vibrancy and successes that are resident in the area. We are committed to the overlapping of fixed uses (housing/commercial) and the transient/experimental events (street events, galleries) as an essential approach for creating a diverse city environment.

A new green strip
To attract pedestrians to travel south through what are currently unattractive, de-populated tunnels, we have created a linear pedestrian park GlowGrowGrass (3G) Park that provides an intriguing and unique leisure resource for people in the area. The layered elements of the park reference the archaeology in the area by emulating the ebb and flow of the Thames, lying unseen, only 200 metres away.

The green landscaping within the park will incorporate innovative planting selected from trees and grasses that thrive under low UV light levels. And electro luminescent panels lining the underside of the arch will map peoples passage through the park. The park escapes from the southern side of the tunnel to tattoo the streetscape of Crucifix Lane and to create a strong visual presence for the new development from London Bridge.

The arches
The frontage to Crucifix Lane currently feels unwelcoming and harsh to pedestrians so we have cut back the building line to provide a three metre colonnade acting as a buffer zone to the street. The masonry façade will remain unaltered in its beautiful patinated state. Retail and a café/bar space are the preferred usage with a small-scale events space above that will serve the indigenous arts community in the area.

In order to sustain the relevance of this development to the wider community we propose that the rear arches will be live/work units, with a preferred use for design, fashion and art uses. A part residential aspect to the site should ensure that retail and leisure uses within the larger units have a captive usage outside office hours.

Carving through the arch wall onto the park has created small-scale kiosk-style retail units and it is hoped that these will provide affordable units for the creatives occupying the live/work units. Continuing the themes of innovation, each unit will have piezoelectric vibration sensors incorporated in the wall lining that will transform mechanical energy from the vibration of trains above into electrical charge to supply lighting.