Earlier this year, London Festival of Architecture and Wandsworth Council launched a design competition inviting proposals for permanent public realm improvements to the area underneath Falcon Road Bridge, creating an artistic intervention which improves the public realm, wayfinding and celebrates the local area’s character.
This exhibition includes the seven shortlisted concepts that have progressed to the final stage of the competition, in order to gather feedback from the local community and residents that will be used to guide the selection of the winning design team.
The competition welcomes community feedback on each shortlisted concept, which can be submitted below.
A Gift to the Passer-By
Alvaro Barrington, Casswell Bank Architects, Aldo Rinaldi, Our Building Design, ARUP, Stockdale
The upper layer of the tunnel would be covered with a landscape painting by Barrington, overlaid with a perforated metal screen with a repeated hibiscus flower pattern. A series of wall-mounted lights, and orange globes of glass that suggest the sunset or sunrise will provide comforting warm light for passers-by, with the upper layer of corrugated metal canopy protecting pedestrians below.
New facilities such as community information points at entrances, a new community space within the arches and a sunny planted area with a bench provided at both ends of the tunnel to create a place for people to meet.
Assemble the Voices Then Create the Change
Voice b4 Vision – daab, HomeGrown+, AKT II, Speirs Major, Noris Obijiaku, Caro Communications
This project is an opportunity to harness the vibrant thinking of youth with the ability to deliver through experience. They will create a system of knowledge sharing between generations providing tangible built experience to the next generation of architects from non-traditional backgrounds.
This scheme will create a ‘cocoon’ passageway under the bridge to protect against pigeon droppings. The art-filled cocoon will include acoustic panels, a covered canopy and new lighting to provide a warm inviting space with green walls marking each end of the bridge.
Beyond the Bridge
GPAD + POoR + MRG Studio + Sutton Vane Associates
The underpass will include a ‘Memories of Wandsworth’ wayfinding wall, curated from stories and artwork gathered through community walking tours and workshops. This installation will highlight beloved landmarks and guide residents and visitors through the neighbourhood, reinforcing local pride and identity. The gallery wall designed by the community, will capture and feature vibrant colours, reflecting the energy, diversity, and spirit of Wandsworth.
This project aims to celebrate and mark Falcon Road Bridge as a space truly shaped by, and for, all of us together.
River of Words
Flanagan Lawrence, Social Place, Expedition, ARUP, Light Follows Behaviour, Gustafson Porter + Bowman, Mo Almedia, Mark & Theo Chaudoir
This design re-imagines an uninviting railway tunnel as a ‘River of Words’, transforming the space into a vibrant passage where the diverse voices of local residents flow as a brook of stories. More than aesthetic renewal, it is a community-led proposal which re-establishes a bridge of connection while being a design resilient to the forces of decay.
‘River of Words’ transforms this once-divisive tunnel into a meaningful passage, shedding its past as a ‘Bridge of Sighs’ to become a symbol of shared purpose, pride, and community voices.
Tales of Our Tracks
andre kong studio, ARUP and Kanda
Tales of Our Tracks is about journeys — where we come from, the paths we take, and the connections we make. This project will transform the Falcon Road tunnel from a neglected passage into a vibrant community gallery of stories, linking the two unique and lively sides of Battersea. Beneath the tracks, they’ll capture that energy to make the tunnel a safe, bright, and welcoming space.
Tales of Our Tracks brings together Battersea’s history and future. It’s more than a passage — it’s a place that connects, celebrates and inspires, woven with the voices and stories of those who call Battersea home.
The Battersea Frieze
Adams & Sutherland with Atelier ANF, make:good and Artin Light
Inspired by the rich heritage of the area, detailed colourful and textured linings introduce moments of delight into this dramatic engineered space, complementing the massive structures and enhancing the pedestrian experience. They propose bringing a lasting sensual delight, of quality and substance, to an everyday part of the city. This will be achieved through using exquisite materials and the very accessible, visual language of pattern.
The Battersea Frieze is Arts & Crafts for the city of the 21st Century, multicultural but universal, luxurious and sensuous but robust and urban, decorative and meaningful.
Understories
Assemble, Samara Scott, Flock Together, Studio Dekka, Stinsensqueeze, Momentum
Understories will celebrate the complex ecosystems and communities which pass through, live under and exist around Falcon Road Bridge. Through turning the underpass into its own understory, they propose to bring to life the often hidden human and nonhuman narratives that reflect Wandsworth’s past, present and future.
By uncovering historical and present stories, we will reframe how we consider ourselves to be a part of the natural world. Walking through Falcon Road bridge will be an immersive, joyful and welcoming experience, with new details revealing themselves each time visitors pass through.
All seven shortlisted designs are on show from 13-24 November at Battersea Library, during opening hours, and Falcon Glade outdoor green space, next to Falcon Terrace and the rail bridge.
The winning team will be announced in December 2024 and once appointed, will continue to develop the presented ideas with local residents based on their outline engagement approach into the final design that will be installed in Autumn 2025.
