Go Cycle:Kingston Station

By offering up-to-date cycling facilities and new public spaces, our proposal rebalances the priorities between vehicles, pedestrians and bikes in the centre of Kingston.

Comprising a cycle storage hub and a new pedestrian bridge, these structures have been designed as a series of different events taking place in a common landscape setting.

The local context of Kingston, its history and landmarks inspired a common language that was refined and applied onto the different structures. By creating a series of recognisable landmarks, the interventions will aid wayfinding and assist onward navigation.

Client: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Construction Value: Undisclosed
Completion: Spring 2021
Location: Kingston

Awards:

2022 AJ Architecture Awards: Infrastructure and Transport (shortlisted)

2022 FX Awards: UK Project of the Year

2022 FX Awards: Outside Space (shortlisted)

2022 Civic Trust Awards: Special Award for Transportation & Infrastructure

2022 Civic Trust Awards: Winner

2022 Civic Trust Awards: National Panel Special Award Prize (shortlisted)

2021 New London Architecture Award: Moving

2021 Dezeen Awards: Civic Building (longlisted)

Publications:

ioArch

The Observer

Architects’ Journal

Design Curial

Konfekt

Velocity Magazine

DETAIL

Arrival

The historic development of movement routes have shaped the experience of Kingston today. From early walking routes and ferry crossings, to permanent bridges for the road and railway, to the 1980s gyratory and one-way system, modern thoroughfares now bisect ancient routes creating challenges to movement through the town.

Creating a much needed link between the station and the riverfront, a new linear park and cycle bridge weave together Kingston’s urban and natural environments, once again celebrating its position as the gateway to the Thames Valley.

Two New Landmarks

Around the corner from Kingston Station, the new cycle hub provides information, repairs, bike parking, cycle hire and a welcome cafe rest stop.

Beyond, a new pedestrian and cycle bridge through a linear park uplifts the experience of reaching the Thames River.

The Hub

Linking back to nearby historic marks and other gothic tracery patterns, the Cycle Storage was designed as a modular overlapping structural truss that gathers different cycle activities on and around it.

Located by Kingston Station, the upper levels provide secure and convenient cycle storage throughout the day. On the ground floor the coffee shop becomes a sociable meeting place and community event space, while the new cycle workshop offers free tools and a space to carry out repairs.

The Bridge

The geometry of the bridge has been influenced by the caption movement studies of Eadweard Muybridge, a photographic pioneer and historic Kingston resident. The structural elements are seen to wrap around the bridge as a repetitive movement through the park.