Twenty four highly prominent new surface sites along the route of London's famous River Thames form the only visible aspect of this visionary and complex engineering project. With a range of uses and designs, the sites and the structures on them form a key part of London's new urban landscape and public realm
The River Thames is one of London's most important resources for transport, ecology, commerce and leisure. With the project offering the unique opportunity to create new public spaces and piazzas along its banks, the proposals balance numerous technical and policy constraints with the urban design and material quality demanded by the river's iconic status.
Twenty four highly prominent new surface sites along the route of London's famous River Thames form the only visible aspect of this visionary and complex engineering entity, the Thames Tideway Tunnel. The new drainage tunnel running far below London's pavements. With a range of uses and designs, the sites and the structures on them will form a key part of London's new urban landscape and public realm as we progress into the 21st Century.
We designed the structures with the broad aim of giving users better contact (visual and where possible physical) with the water. Intertidal terraces, timber fenders and features to improve fish spawning were included where ever possible to contribute to the ecological health of the river. We chose to draw attention to the river's ebb and flow by inscribing a series of horizontal lines on the river walls to mark tide and flood levels. They would be engraved, cast or marked with fenders to illustrate current mean high and low water levels and flood defence levels.
Even though there is commonality between the sites through their location in the Thames' foreshore, the characteristics of the river and its banks vary greatly along its length. Each site has its own specific character and raises its own opportunities. The designs respond to this in different ways, from marking the starting line of the University Boat Race at Putney and responding to the monumental architecture of the Victoria Embankment to creating an elegant new walkway at Blackfriars which paves the way for possible future commercial development to enliven the generally underused North Bank.
Located in or adjacent to existing Thames Water operational sites or on one of London's "Safeguarded Wharfs"
Primary purpose was to leave functional, durable and attractive structures.
Some sites interact with London's impressive Victorian sewage system
Protection of a disused, but listed, beam engine house at Greenwich Pumping Station by locating Thames Tideway Tunnel equipment in inside
Working closely with English Heritage and local conservation officers to ensure that new works are designed to respect the listed fabric and preservation for future generations
These sites are either located in or adjacent to existing Thames Water operational sites or on one of London's "Safeguarded Wharfs". Safeguarded Wharfs are designated for cargo handling use and the Thames Water sites play an active role in the management of the city's waste water management. Our primary purpose on both groups was to leave functional, durable and attractive structures.
Several of the sites fall in areas where future development is proposed or imminent. For example, Heathwall Pumping Station and Kirtling Street lie in the heart on the Nine Elms Lane regeneration area that includes the re-development of Battersea Power Station. Here we needed to design our structures in such a way that they will not look out of place in the midst of future development proposals.
There are also sites where our work interact with London's impressive Victorian sewage system. At Greenwich Pumping Station we have sought to protect a disused beam engine house which was originally used to house the steam engines driving the pumps. The building is listed and currently falling into disrepair. By locating Thames Tideway Tunnel equipment in there the building will be brought back into use and safeguarded from further dilapidation. We have worked closely with English Heritage and local conservation officers to ensure that the new works are designed to respect the listed fabric and preserve it for future generations.
Tideway
The Thames Tideway Tunnel incorporates 24 highly prominent new surface sites along the route of London's famous River Thames which form the only visible aspect of this visionary and complex engineering entity. Known affectionately as the 'super sewer', the new drainage tunnel running far below London's pavements.