The Old Street Promenade of Light
The stretch of pavement between Old Street roundabout and Bath Street is now known as the Old Street Promenade of Light. It is an award winning public space that offers a tree-lined, illuminated pedestrian promenade that can be enjoyed by everyone
Architect: Tonkin Liu
Client: London Borough of Islington
The design won a RIBA award in May 2007, just eight months after completion.
Walking alone, ideas unfold, walking with others, relationships grow. A promenade is the very celebration of walking, and of the community. The existing 21 mature Plane trees suggested a promenade that could be reinforced by adding more trees. 18 new trees were added, and a raised stone promenade laid between the two rows of trees.
The light stone is a canvas for light and shadows, during both day and night. Around the trees, stone rings protect the trees and mark them as special. Celebrating difference, each ring is different, some big, some small, and some in-between.
Rings for people are benches and tables. Rings for plants are filled with brightly coloured flowers. Clusters of rings bring people together and create urban rooms under the shelter of the trees.
Background
The area for pedestrians along Old Street had become degraded; public spaces were difficult to access and felt dark and unsafe. The council, together with EC1 New Deal for Communities and Transport for London, recognised the need to improve the area to make it a more attractive, welcoming and safe public space. Architects Tonkin Liu were appointed in July 2004 after coming up with the idea of the ‘Promenade of Light’.
Local people have their say
The fantastic design that can be seen today is also thanks to local residents and workers contributing their views. Public consultation first started in spring 2004, with a second round in March 2005.
So what’s new?
The run down pavement and under-used gardens have been replaced with new seating, paving, flower beds and a promenade of trees and lights. In total there are:
- 24 new mature trees
- 44 tree rings to provide cycle stands, benches and tables
- 23 new lighting columns
- 24 flowerbeds
- 10 new litter bins
- 420 small irrigation holes in the granite paving filled with permeable black bonded gravel, which are necessary for the trees to gain water. They also add interest to the design.
- 164 light bulbs
- 8 motorcycle stands
- 1600m2 of ASP paving
- 1580m2 of granite paving
