Now that the mounds by the entrance are being lowered, we can look ahead to the next phase of development. At the moment, although the views into the garden are vastly improved on all sides, we can ever more clearly see how unsightly the back and service entrances of the businesses on Goding Street are. We hope the existing tenants will address this issue soon, and improve their appearance. In the long run however, we hope to gradually transform Goding Street into a pleasant pedestrianised destination for all to enjoy.
Here is what DSDHA's Tom Greenall writes about the plan:
Lambeth Council and the Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens have commissioned local architects DSDHA to develop ideas for improving Goding Street, which runs between Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and the railway arches. DSDHA have been working with the Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens since 2005 when they were first commissioned to undertake a Framework Plan for the entire park. The ongoing development of this plan has led to the construction of the sports pitch, the improvements to the entrance of the park from Kennington Lane and most recently the reduction and remodelling of the mounds to improve visual permeability through the park and maximise the potential of the green space.
The scheme for Goding Street is still at an early stage, but is likely to include new paving, planting and lighting and will soften the boundary between the park and the highway. The ambition of the Council and the Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens is to reduce the width of the road, increase the size of the park and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, it is proposed that access to Goding Street will be restricted during weekends to prevent antisocial behaviour and new shop fronts would create an active street to help improve safety.
The scheme has been developed to compliment the reduction and remodelling of the mounds in the park that was completed in March 2015.
Tom Greenall
Associate Director
World Architecture Festival Inaugural Wood Excellence Prize 2014: Alex Monroe Studios, Snowsfields
RIBA London Award 2014: Alex Monroe Studios, Snowsfields
Shortlisted RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize 2014: Alex Monroe Studios, Snowsfields