Futurecity have been appointed as cultural consultants to Network Rail on the redevelopment of London Bridge station. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, this flagship project will be the first station of this scale in the rail network to be completely rebuilt. Delivered to a “whole life” sustainability strategy, the design is a successful marriage of restored heritage structures and contemporary building technology; its extraordinary roof will make it one of the city’s most visible aerial landmarks.
London Bridge moves millions of people annually, impacting on the majority of rail traffic in the South East; the 4th busiest for passengers, it is the only central London station that is both a terminus and a through-route, with 52 million people terminating there and an additional 70 million using it to connect to other destinations. For both Network Rail and Southwark Council, the new station is seen as a key to the regeneration of London Bridge; a catalyst for a new London Bridge Quarter.
The creative industries constitute 55% of businesses around Bermondsey Street, with established cultural institutions such as the White Cube, Fashion & Textiles Museum, Unicorn Theatre and Southwark Playhouse in close proximity. With the establishment of the new Science Gallery on St Thomas’s Street, and the launch of the Guys Cancer Centre at the end of Great Maze Pond – both with significant arts programming intentions – London Bridge station will be at the heart of a powerful emerging creative district.