Happy Street
London Festival of Architecture

With the aspiration to overhaul a “gloomy underpass” in Wandsworth, London, the Thessaly Road Railway Bridge contest was organised as part of the London Festival of Architecture. Ilori’s ‘Happy Street’ transforms the dark space beneath the old bridge into a welcoming space for pedestrians and cyclists, which the local community can be proud of.

The richly patterned vitreous enamel panels using 16 different colours, and the illumination at night provide a new local landmark, giving users a greater sense of safety and visual enjoyment. One of the aims was to encourage passersby to become more aware of their surroundings. The colourful panels are intended to evoke spectacular sunsets on the River Thames seen from Nine Elms.

During the project, the team engaged with community and its concerns, and worked closely with local residents and St George’s school to ensure delivery of a design that they would be happy living next to.

Photography © Luke O'Donovan