vittorio maschietto + MDU link vauxhall with elevated green bridge

vittorio maschietto + MDU architetti link vauxhall with bridge of greenery
all images courtesy of MDU architetti

influenced by a picture of multi-disciplinarian architect vitruvius, vittorio maschietto and MDU architetti have tackled the complex challenge of creating vauxhall’s ‘missing link’ with a proposal called ‘higher line’ that establishes a clear and comprehensive urban design. the city’s finest landmark at present is the nineteenth century railway embankment, a brick spine of arches perpendicular to the transportation lines and station platforms above, which once provided a sequence of snap shot views from the parks towards the river thames.

vauxhall skyline 

the first step in the regeneration will be focused on the arches, both those that serve as a public thoroughfare and those used for private business. ‘some have already been refurbished, showing the first signs of transformation, but the majority could be adapted to provide views once again of the thames,‘ say the designers. ‘our approach is guided by local legacy and is not in favor of a drastic change in the use and scale of the arches, but rather aims at improving the quality of local residents’ everyday life, and creating an attractive location for locals and visitors.’ 

to this end, the elimination of the petrol station on albert embankment would make way for a piazza and the arches behind could be used for music performances and art exhibitions, while the remaining areas behind and in front could operate as allotments and small parks.

on top the of higher line 

according to the studio, ‘the various master plans in the hands of famous architects will draw attention to the area of vauxhall, which at present does not have much to offer in comparison with other parts of central london. our proposal is to create a landmark structure connected to the ground level of the railway arches and the upper level of the station. this will be a green ‘higher line’ dedicated to people, art and music, birds, butterflies and squirrels.’

the bridge is capable of carrying 36 mature british trees, donated, transplanted and cared for by the groundskeepers of the english capital. the 12-meter-wide pathway has a perpendicular crossing along a cardo (north-south) and a decumanus (east-west), a leafy flyover connecting the landscape of vauxhall to the river for 2.4 kilometers. each plant is placed 18 meters above ground level in a square box 6-by-6 meters wide and 3 meters deep at a distance of 30 meters apart.

site plan

the pillars of the provide a place for vertical circulation such stairs and lifts. they will be reticular, transparent and easy to assemble, so as not to cause inconvenience to lower level traffic and activities below during construction. the railway area will be crossed by this bridge without intermediate columns and the train services will be continue to run without interruption. the structure will be technically equipped to produce energy and water, not only for self-sustainability purposes, but also for other needs in the area.

drawings of the pillars

project info:

name: higher line
location: vauxhall, london
type: RIBA vauxhall london – the missing link competition
architects: vittorio maschietto and MDU architetti
design team: tommaso secchi, lucia frascerra

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.