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“As it follows the Thames through central London, this project marks its passage with a series of small developments in parks and alongside the river. These interventions create opportunities for useful and attractive new public spaces, and collectively announce the existence of this significant but unseen engineering achievement.” Les Sparks, Chair of the Design Council Cabe Thames Tunnel panel.
At its best Design Review can provoke new ways of thinking about development proposals that help them to become more than just the sum of their parts. In its reviews of major infrastructure projects across England, Design Council Cabe has strived to change the mind-set of an industry that too often considers design as a device to conceal, rather than celebrate, the presence of infrastructure developments in a locality.
The message that well-designed infrastructure schemes can leave a positive legacy and become an asset, rather than a burden on communities has been promoted by the Thames Tunnel Design Review panel. This was established in April 2011 to advise Thames Water on the above-ground works associated with its 20 mile ‘super sewer’ that will reduce the outflow of sewerage into the Thames. These works, which are currently planned for 24 sites across the Capital, include a number of proposals for new or upgraded public spaces that will be available for Londoners to use after the tunnel has been completed. Our reviews have created an arena for Thames Water, local authorities and statutory agencies to consider how good design can help address key challenges facing the project, not least by helping to promote the benefits that Londoners stand to gain from this monumental engineering feat on a par with the great public works of past centuries.
"We found the CABE design review to be a very constructive and open process which added real value to the development of the designs of the proposed Thames Tunnel sites, many of which are in prominent heritage or locally sensitive locations. By undertaking the design reviews at an early stage in the design, we found that we were able to get useful input from the CABE panel members and early engagement from many of our key stakeholders who attended the reviews. The process has helped us to develop our designs, providing a strong framework on which to seek the views of the public and statutory stakeholders during phase two consultation. It is important that local people have their say on our proposals so that we can then develop and refine these designs in a way that meets the needs of the local communities". Head of London Tideway Tunnels, Phil Stride Thames Tunnel
Our comments on the emerging proposals for the individual sites can be viewed by clicking on the map above. If you would like to find out more about the common design issues affecting all sites identified by our panel please read on.
Securing a compelling design vision
Change of the magnitude envisaged for London through the delivery of the Thames Tunnel project brings with it immense challenges but we believe that such change could leave a positive legacy for the Capital. The scope of works planned for the Thames and its environs, an historic asset of national importance, underscores the need to put design thinking at the heart of decision-making on the project. Therefore, we have encouraged Thames Water to develop an overarching design vision in parallel with a set of guiding design principles for the Thames Tunnel project. This should help to ensure a consistent approach to design across the individual sites being developed - from Abbey Mills in the east to Acton Storm Tanks in the west.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Thames is its diverse character. We have recommended that a comprehensive study of the varied conditions along the River be carried out to inform the vision and principles being developed. This should ensure that individual proposals are being brought forward in an integrated manner and with the benefit of a clear understanding of their collective impact on, and potential contribution to, the heritage and amenity value of the Thames. This process should also help secure the most imaginative design solutions that satisfy, but are not driven by, the engineering constraints of the project.
A project to be celebrated
The legacy of Joseph Bazalgette’s sewerage system goes beyond the vast tunnels beneath Londoners’ feet. The great Thames embankments and the more modest streetscape elements, such as manhole covers, serve to remind us of this great achievement. We have welcomed Thames Water’s recognition of the chance to echo this by developing a common approach to the design of its street level features, including ventilation columns and manhole covers. We believe that such a strategy would have three key benefits. Firstly, it would give the Thames Tunnel project a strong identity that unified the above ground works along the length of the tunnel.
Secondly, it would raise public awareness of the significance of the project and celebrate Thames Water’s commitment to improving the River and its embankments. Thirdly, it would encourage a sense of civic pride amongst communities, particularly if they were involved in developing their appearance through, for example, a local arts programme. This would help deliver a family of common design components that could be tailored to respond to local contexts.
Designs that enhance their context
While there will be a common thread that ties together all of the sites selected for development, we have observed that they could be divided into two categories: ‘Central foreshore/monument’ sites and ‘Neighbourhood’ sites. Grouping them in this way could prove a useful way to identify and resolve the shared challenges and opportunities associated with each. In this context, we have advised that designs should be celebratory when the occasion demands and discreet when not. In all cases they should adopt a confident, rather than apologetic, relationship with their surroundings. For example, the proposals for Albert Embankment, Blackfriars and Victoria Embankment highlight the importance of considering these central sites as a piece, not least due to the shared sensitivity of their contexts and conspicuousness of the works proposed. The benefits of such a categorisation would be two-fold. Firstly, it would provide the engineering and design teams working across each site with clear direction on - and a mutual understanding of - the project’s objectives as they relate to their particular site. Secondly, it would help ensure that a consistency of approach to design is achieved across the Thames Tunnel development.
More than just a cleaner river
We believe there is an opportunity to better promote the tangible benefits of the development to local communities, stakeholders and Londoners at large beyond just a cleaner River Thames. For example, while the design team highlighted the improvements that could be made to the public realm on a number of sites, this is perhaps not yet being exploited to its fullest. The promotion of such benefits will be particularly important in bringing the respective local authorities, key stakeholders and the public at large on board from an early stage. In light of this, we have advised that the following themes be considered in developing the designs for each of the sites coming forward:
Use of the Thames: There is an opportunity to promote the special character of the Thames, encouraging more access and enjoyment of the riverside through creative, site-specific solutions for public spaces. These should look to open up new views and vistas as well as preserve those that exist.
Accessibility: Where opportunities arise, the proposals should address conflicts between road traffic and people, focussing on priorities for movement and developing a common design for steps, ramps, lifts etc. Use of the Thames for construction and maintenance access to foreshore sites should be considered above all other options.
Education: The buildings and landscape can be used to promote learning about both Bazalgette’s works and the achievement of the Thames Tunnel itself. This would generate a fuller appreciation of the works carried out, past and present, and provide an opportunity to celebrate them.
Biodiversity: The opportunity should be taken to enhance plant and animal life across the sites and, where appropriate, provide access to school parties for learning.
Heritage and conservation: The project should promote a better appreciation of the Thames, including views, as noted above. New riverside spaces could be used to assist in the interpretation and understanding of the Thames’ historic features. There is the potential to find imaginative new uses for redundant listed buildings.
Local amenity: There is a chance to give back to local communities, for example, in the form of pocket parks and play space integrated with the works brought forward. The community should be given a say in shaping these projects to increase buy-in and instil civic pride and a sense of ownership over them.