Winners of Nine Elms 'Arch 42 Gateways' competition announced

Originally built as part of the Victorian railway viaduct carrying the South Western main line into Waterloo station, Arch 42 has been transformed into a welcoming new route that can connect locals and visitors to the new Northern Line Extension, New Covent Garden Market, the US Embassy and the River Thames. Nine Elms is also, notably, home to Battersea Power Station and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

Architecture practice Projects Office have won the competition with their co-design project, 'Tunnel Visions' which aims to bring the diverse and growing local community together through a new connection for Nine Elms, turning Arch 42 into a bold local landmark.

In October 2008 the U.S. Embassy in London announced that it would relocate to the area, moving from its location in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair; the new embassy was completed in December 2017, and began operating in January 2018.

The competition was open to all architects, landscape architects, designers and artists which sought imaginative design ideas for this historic railway arch.

The Arch 42 Gateways competition follows the huge success of 'Happy Street' which reinvented the Thessaly Road underpass in Nine Elms in 2019. Artist Yinka Ilori, who won the design competition organised by Wandsworth Council and the London Festival of Architecture, was part of the expert panel judging the Arch 42 designs.

Wandsworth Council's Cabinet Member for Community Services and Open Spaces, Councillor Steffi Sutters, said: "Projects Office have brought innovative thinking to this Victorian railway arch with a bright design that taps into our local transport heritage while connecting communities on both sides of the railway line.

"We were delighted that so many people sent in their views during the design competition that we ran with London Festival of Architecture. People who live and work in the area have welcomed the news that this new route is being created and I know that our local schools and residents are really looking forward to getting involved."

The full details are available at nineelmslondon.com.

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