TRANSFORMING FALCON ROAD BRIDGE
TRANSFORMING FALCON ROAD BRIDGE
In August 2024, the London Festival of Architecture and Wandsworth Council initiated an Open Call for architects and design collectives to propose ideas for revitalizing the Falcon Road Bridge, which supports the railway line at Clapham Junction. The project aims to transform the underutilized space into an inviting artistic area through various enhancements, including re-cladding, public art installations, improved lighting, and greenery that requires minimal maintenance in the future.
Community engagement was a cornerstone of this initiative, emphasizing inclusivity and responsiveness to the needs of local residents. By connecting with localdesigners through platforms like Locals and MeetUp, the vision for the Falcon Road Bridge emerged. Our focus was on creating a vibrant environment that not only improves the quality of life for residents but also attracts visitors and potential investment, ultimately benefiting the broader community.
We also aimed at prioritising safety, especially for women. Safety is paramount, with a strong focus on women’s security, designing the space to incorporate feminine connotations of safety and protection through lighting, layout, and visibility, and this portrayed by the colours of the soundwave inspired LED patterns - which drew inspired from Dan Corson’s ‘Sensing YOU’, a psychedelic experimental approach to transforming two ‘dreary underpasses’ in San Jose, California that using paint, light, and interactive technology to create a dynamic awareness scenario of the city’s downtown population. Simultaneously, we also wanted to create a ‘visually, inviting and playful space for people of all ages to admire, with the underpass being attractive and engaging at all times of the day. This in our heads transformed a dreary passageway into a point of interest that reflects the bustling historical and cultural heritage of Wandsworth.
From more indepth research, we have decided that the aim of this project is to transform this neglected bridge underpass in one of South London’s most forward-thinking areas into a safe, vibrant, and community-centric space. At the time of the final submission for this project, the underpass was suffering from neglect, dampness, and has become a hub for unsafe nighttime activity, which detracts from the area’s innovative spirit. Our proposal looked to revitalize the bridge underpass, turning it into a safe, well-lit, and engaging public space, which will also celebrate. Wandsworth’s unique cultural identity, while addressing key issues like safety and maintenance, creating a lasting impact on the community.
We all decided that an extension of the greenery felt necessary up to a certain region of the interior, so that there is an inviting aura that leads people in through the bridge. The additional greenery on both faces of the bridge, is also used in tandem with the smart urban water management/ drainage systems, with the greenery acting as a base for the pipes to effectively utilise.
The painted curtains, stage lights and mirror positioned opposite ‘an audience ingrained in the mural’ creates an illusion and feeling that the people walking down the this path are at centre stage, creating a mirroring, third/fourth wall effect from movie inspirations such as the Truman Show.
Internally, a few structural implementations (which can be subject to change in the months to come) have been made, with the first change being the utilisation of Egla mono metallic mesh to hide the unsightly elements of the bridge, providing a modern, polished look while maintaining structural integrity. This will also add an additional layer of protection from the SuDS inspired pipes planted on the pavement, drawing inspiration from Malaysia’s GAMUDA Smart Tunnel previously mentioned, to address dampness and ensure a dryer and cleaner passage.
We plan to utilize colored LEDs that evoke feelings of safety and security, and these lights shown in the visuals above will enhance visibility while adding a playful aesthetic to the space. We also plan to install LED lights on the walls that mimic the shape of sound waves, inspired by noise studies conducted on-site. This creates an artistic representation of the bridge’s acoustic environment.
Incorporate LED silhouettes representing both past and present communities, including figures from the Winstanley and York Estates. This adds a sense of connection to the area’s rich history. On the north side, also including current or former residents of these estates such as the hip hop and garage collective, So Solid Crew (who achieved a UK chart-topper in the early 2000’s with their single, ‘21 Seconds’) would celebrate the cultural contributions of Wandsworth, serving as a reminder that regeneration should enhance, not erase, local heritage.
