Designers sought for permanent £20 million Thames light installation

Multidisciplinary teams are being asked to compete for the chance to design installations for 17 London bridges between Albert and Tower bridge.

By Tom Banks June 2, 2016 2:32 pm August 23, 2017 10:32 am

Multidisciplinary teams of designers are being sought for a £20 million project that will see 17 London bridges between Albert and Tower bridge illuminated as part of a permanent light installation.

Newly established charity The Illuminated River Foundation and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, launched the competition today and are encouraging teams of artists, designers, technologists and engineers to enter.

“Dazzling free outdoor art gallery”

Khan says the project will provide the public with a “dazzling, free outdoor art gallery”, encourage new investment and promote London to the World.

The brief calls for a winning design which will be “elegant and charismatic” and “reinvigorate the River Thames” with a display that is of “world class quality”.

From left to right London Bridge, Cannon Street Railway Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge (all taken from the Shard)

The two-stage Illuminated River International Design Competition requires details of proposed teams and their relevant experience for the first stage.

In the second round, five or more shortlisted teams will create concept designs for four bridges – Westminster, Waterloo, London and Chelsea – along with a design master plan for the other bridges.

Competition director Malcolm Reading says: “No design is sought at the first stage, simply a proposal of a multi-disciplinary team and evidence of previous experience – competitors will need to get these in by the deadline of July 7th 2016.”

Following the announcement of the winner, £15,000 will be awarded to each of the shortlisted teams.

Phased completion between 2018-2020

After phased completion between 2018-2020, the project will be supported by a range of stakeholders including the Mayor of London, the City of London, Westminster City Council, Transport for London, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Network Rail.

“With the right design, we can remind the world that London continues to be the global leader in innovation, sustainability and artistic creativity,” says Khan.

The competition is being run according to EU competition guidelines and is being organised by Malcolm Reading Consultants. For more information head here. The deadline is 7 July.

The branding for the competition has been created by Baxter and Bailey which has designed all of the brand applications including a website and brochure.