Bishop's Bridge, London W2

About this project

This was a large design exercise carried out by Seth Handley architect over a few years, with various design inputs from various architect academics in early stages. The design was for a vacant plot of land in London, bound by Bishop's Bridge one end, the Grand Union Canal the other with Westway and rail lines from Paddington the others.  

The design sought to use the changes in level to create a concave park, or haven from theturmoil of Westway, rail lines and Bishop's Bridge.  The concave park was provided sufficient depth to allow various sports arenas to be positioned below, at existing ground level, and penetrate through the its skin, in turn allowing light into these sports venues.

The images here show the design that was developing for one of these sports venues, the swimming venue, using glu-lam pylons and lightweight roof.  The project was developed until it reached a certain level.  Below is a quote, although not made in relation to this project;   

I started out trying to create buildings that would sparkle like isolated jewels; now I want them to connect, to form a new kind of landscape, to flow together with contemporary cities and the lives of their peoples.
Zaha Hadid