Bankside’s Lowline
Date: 2021
A new walking destination for London, co-designed with the local community.
Concept and Sketches for America and Ewer Streets
JA Projects, alongside BBUK, have been commissioned by Better Bankside to deliver a series of ‘welcoming and inclusive’ public spaces in the heart of Bankside, London. The GLA funded project focuses on America Street, Warden’s Grove and Ewer Street, three streets set back from the main thoroughfares in the area.
Proposals are the latest instalment of the pioneering Bankside Urban Forest programme and the interventions will form part of the wider Low Line project, aiming to create a series of green and pedestrian spaces which connect diverse neighbourhoods and communities in South London – linking existing and new hubs of creativity, entertainment, and industry along its course. Specifically, through a combination of permanent and redeployable interventions such as rain gardens, planters, seating, cycle parking and new signage, the project will create places to dwell and gather whilst supporting local residents and businesses.
Images: Co-Design workshops
The project is underpinned by an ongoing co-design process, ensuring local voices are active in shaping the future of their area. This thorough programme reaches out to a wide group of residents, business owners, local employees and public sector stakeholders through the delivery of accessible and fun workshops.
A core principle of this project is to deliver highly sustainable interventions, pioneering new modes of environmental construction. This includes:
Exploring the use of stone as an ecological construction material
Prototyping a design for planter units to sit adjacent to railway arches whilst maintaining access below.
Providing resilient green spaces to improve biodiversity and support.
Delivering real impact through rainwater attenuation and SUDs in order to alleviate the strain on London’s sewers and keep
The designs seek to make the most of the circular economy through their construction, installation and ongoing maintenance.
On the commission, Jayden Ali, JA Projects Director, said:
‘Never before in the history of our city has the space between buildings been more important. Never before have ideas such as connected pockets of public space been so critical to the economic success of London and the health of its population.'
Donald Hyslop, chair of the Low Line group and Better Bankside, said:
‘As we enter this important time of recovery and renewal we know that social value, respect for heritage, local feelings and partnerships can bring profits in many forms. In JA Projects we are delighted to have found a partner who is as committed to co-design and partnerships as we are. Their passionate approach to creating places alongside the people that will use them will be a very welcome addition as part of the Low Line team.’
The project is currently ongoing. Its latest phase is a public events programme, named Roots, Shoots and Fruits, which invites guests to discuss the past, present and future of the Bankside Urban Forest and Low Line projects.
Read the full article in the Architect’s Journal and listen to the team discuss the project in an episode of Monocle’s The Urbanist podcast.