Waterloo regeneration design shortlist revealed

The makeover of London’s rundown Waterloo Station area has come one step closer, with the announcement of the short – listed design teams in the running for the projects.

The selected teams are Architect DSDHA, US group EDAW, Lab Architecture Studio and Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands. Each will compete for the opportunity to design an attractive, pedestrian-friendly public space with the potential to harbour retail and leisure development.

The South Bank Employers’ Group, on behalf of the Waterloo City Square Implementation Group, has whittled 26 entries down to these four, following a tender process run through the Official Journal of the European Union.

The first stage of the competition, based on written submissions and interviews, was used to assess the creativity, experience and technical ability of the entrants.

The shortlisted four are now preparing concepts to be showcased at a public exhibition later this year, before the final design is chosen.

Ted Inman, chief executive of SBEG – the body responsible for delivering the project – says, ‘There was a very strong response and a range of approaches. Deciding on the shortlist was difficult.’

‘Waterloo Station and the surrounding area is one of London’s eyesores – traffic dominates, pedestrians are pushed underground. The brief is to make the space more open and possibly use it commercially,’ he says.

In November last year, for mer London Mayor Ken Livingstone – in conjunction with urban design arm Design for London – ann oun ced a vision for a revitalised Waterloo area, to include a new city square, revamped station and paved streets giving priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport (DW 8 November 2007).

Extensive plans for the sta – tion will see a new entrance at York Road, London SE1, retail outlets, rest aurants and an expanded station concourse.

Design pros pects include street furniture, lighting and signage around the British Film Institute Imax cinema roundabout and Waterloo Road. Marketing material will also be required.

The regeneration strategy follows a flurry of activity in the Waterloo area, including the renovation of the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank by architect Allies and Morrison.

TIMELINE

November 2007 – former London Mayor Ken Livingstone reveals plans for a £2bn makeover of Waterloo Station and surrounding area. A tender is issued for a two-stage competition to find a design team

December 2007 – the deadline for design submissions to the judging panel

August 2008 – a four-strong design shortlist is revealed

Winter 2008 – a planned public display of the four shortlisted design concepts before the winning company is chosen