Strand, London

Client

Westminster Council

Landscape Architect

LDA Design

Engineering Consultant

WSP

Contractor

FM Conway Ltd

The Project

The Strand Aldwych is a busy public area well-known as a procession route between Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral. The area was historically plagued by traffic and pollution, so people were reluctant to dwell for long periods of time.

A series of ambitious plans by Westminster Council had been designed to transform this previously isolated area into a thriving, traffic-free public space and provide a boost to the local economy. The project, with a particular focus on pedestrianisation, aims to transform parts of Aldwych and the Strand create a harmonious public realm space.

Challenges

The newly pedestrianised area with stone walls already in place needed public seating outside St Clement Danes Church. Coordinating the wall shape with the stone underneath was imperative, and access was needed to the lighting drivers through the platforms since the stone underneath is illuminated with LEDs. With this in mind, our design team worked collaboratively to develop a bespoke version of our modular RailRoad seating design, based on the principles where interchangeable parts can be easily removed or replaced.

"It has been an excellent experience working with Furnitubes, and we are pleased with the results in the new public space at The Strand."

They have been extremely helpful in designing and manufacturing bespoke outdoor furniture solutions for us, providing excellent ideas and working in collaboration to achieve several solutions for public realm improvements in the Strand / Aldwych area. We look forward to seeing people come together to enjoy this new, more serene and welcoming environment.
Jose Nogueron Associate Director, WSP

Listen to our Podcast on The Strand Aldwych

Cannon Ivers, design lead of The Strand redesign and Director at Landscape Architecture practise LDA Design joins our Managing Director, Catherine, for an in-depth chat about the project.