Architectural and landscape design practice Fereday Pollard has launched a new publication examining the architectural and landscape design methodology and principles behind the Thames Tideway Tunnel’s civic legacy, offering lessons to guide a new generation of major infrastructure projects.
Titled ‘Civic Engineering: Delivering Placemaking in Infrastructure: Case Study on the Thames Tideway Tunnel Public Realm’, the publication provides a blueprint for infrastructure commissioning bodies, procurement and project teams, and consultants delivering pre-design and design services for major projects. It demonstrates how stewardship in placemaking must be a central priority in delivering public benefit through engineering-led works.
Covering the practice’s role as lead architects working with Jacobs to shape the architectural and landscape vision for the Tideway project between 2008 and its completion in 2025, the publication also includes contributions from several key figures on the project. These include Frances Fernandes, Examining Inspector - National Infrastructure, The Planning Inspectorate (2012–2023), now Managing Director of Infrastructure Matters, Mike Gerrard, Managing Director - Thames Tideway Tunnel (2011–2015), and current Chairman of INPP, and Roger Bailey, Chief Technical Officer – Tideway. The publication also examines the role and process of public art commissioning.
Clare Donnelly, Director at Fereday Pollard, said: “The Thames Tideway Tunnel is not only a feat of engineering that will protect the river for generations, but also represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the river’s edge and create new public places for Londoners. As the UK enters a new era of infrastructure investment, these insights are critical to ensuring projects leave a lasting legacy for people and communities.”
Jennifer Dixon, Director at Fereday Pollard, said: “The lessons captured in this new publication show how design is a vital enabler in infrastructure to deliver real cultural, social and environmental value alongside its technical purpose – a message we hope can inspire future major infrastructure projects and give clients the confidence to involve architects and landscape architects at the outset.”
The publication has been supported by Tideway, the company financing, building, maintaining and operating the Thames Tideway Tunnel, as a complementary information piece alongside their own publications.
To read the publication ‘Civic Engineering: Delivering Placemaking in Infrastructure: Case Study on the Thames Tideway Tunnel Public Realm’, click here.