Have your say on 39 innovative ideas for “iconic gateway” for Old Street

Members of the public are invited to have their say on 39 innovative design ideas for the transformation of Old Street roundabout to create a new ‘iconic gateway’ and public space.

A public exhibition opens today (12 February) at 2-4 Old Street Yard (1st Floor, Building 3), London EC1Y 8AF (behind the White Collar Factory) – a two-minute walk from Old Street roundabout. The exhibition will be open weekdays between 12 February and 2 March, from 12pm (noon) – 6pm.

In December, Islington Council in partnership with the Mayor of London, Transport for London (TfL) and Hackney Council, launched the Old Street Iconic Gateway ‘Open Call for Design Ideas’, seeking innovative ideas to transform Old Street when the 1960s roundabout is removed. More than 120 registrations of interest were received, and 39 entries have been longlisted for the public exhibition.

The open call sought innovative design concepts that encompass public art and embrace the spirit of "Tech City" – the technological, economic and cultural powerhouse around Old Street. Design ideas were sought from different disciplines including architecture, urban planning, transport, art, Smart Cities and technology.

The creation of the “iconic gateway”, which will be funded by Islington, will add to TfL’s transformative changes already planned for the roundabout, which will begin in late 2018. The wider transformation by the Mayor of London and TfL, in partnership with Islington and Hackney, will remove the outdated and intimidating roundabout to create a safer, more pleasant layout for people, which will be an improvement to the urban environment and quality of air within the public space.

Changes also include segregated cycle lanes, low level cycle signals and new surface-level pedestrian crossings, two new station entrances which will improve accessibility for public transport users and encourage more active and sustainable travel. while the reintroduction of two-way traffic will also improve accessibility and direct movement.

The north-western "arm" of the roundabout will be permanently closed, creating an attractive new pedestrianised public space.

After the public has had their say on their preferred design idea, a judging panel will consider all the public feedback received and decide on a shortlist of the best design ideas.

The judging panel, announced today, features design and technology experts and community representatives:

• Allison Dutoit from Gehl Architects, set up by Jan Gehl specialising in improving the quality of urban life by re-orientating city design towards pedestrian and cyclist

• Gerard Grech – CEO of Tech City UK, a semi-public body supporting the development of the east London start-up cluster known as London Tech City or Silicon Roundabout

• James Dellow – Youth and Innovation Manager at Soapbox, a brand new high-quality digital, media and technology local youth club

• Cllr Claudia Webbe (Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, and Bunhill Ward Member)

• Cllr Feryal Demirci (Hackney Councillor and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Transport & Parks)

• Will Norman (London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner)

Cllr Webbe said: “Old Street is an iconic location, and its transformation will hugely improve the area for pedestrians, public transport users, cyclists and people who live and work nearby. We have had huge interest in our design open call, and the public exhibition is a chance to have your say on the creation of an exciting, bold, iconic gateway – 39 innovative and inspiring ideas set out in one place, so you can help to shape the future of Old Street.”

London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman said: “This transformation is going to make Old Street a more pleasant and safer place for all pedestrians and cyclists. It’s an area that is renowned for innovation so I’m really looking forward to seeing the range of ideas shortlisted and hearing Londoners' opinions about them.”

Cllr Feryal Demirci, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Transport and Parks, said: "Old Street is a busy and dangerous area for pedestrians and cyclists, and I'm looking forward to work starting so that the junction can be made safer for everyone."

An announcement will be made on the best design ideas in late March.

To view all the design ideas online and vote, see www.islington.gov.uk/oldstreet

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Cllr Claudia Webbe is available for interview at the exhibition at 1pm on Monday February 12th.

The lead organisation for each project on the longlist is below:

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) & Derwent London

Atelier Chang

Ayre Camberlain Gaunt Architects

Brodie Plant Goddard

Coffey Architects

Cove Burgess Architects

D*Haus Company LTD

Dar Group

Djao-Rakitine

EPR Architects

Es Devlin Studio

Fereday Pollard (01)

Fereday Pollard (02)

Fluid

Gibson Thornley Architects

Gpad London

GRID Architects

Hawkins Brown

Horden Cherry Lee (HCL) Architects

Intervention Architecture LTD

JaK Studio

Mae

Markwick Architects

MRZ.ES

MAX Architects

Naza Architectura y Diseño

Nicholas Hare Architects

Paul Cocksedge Studio (with Ben Adams Architects)

Perserverance Architects Ltd

Pillbrow and Partners

Ruben Ramos Jimenez

shedkm

Spaced Out Ltd

Sustrans

Thor Architects

Tonkin Liu

Urben Limited

What if: projects ltd

Zaha Hadid Architects

For further information please contact:
Chris Roe, Media Manager
Tel: 020 7527 8751
Alternative contact - Media team: 020 7527 2307
Out of hours: 07769 163303
Email: chris.roe@islington.gov.uk
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