The revolutionary street design, developed by award-winning architect Dixon Jones, will reinvigorate the Exhibition Road area. The improvements will return priority to pedestrians and create space in a way that traditional street design cannot. The result will be an inviting and accessible space that draws the area together and encourages people to explore.
Based on the shared space concept, a single surface will be the focal point of this design – spanning some 800 metres from the south of Exhibition Road to the entrance of Hyde Park at the north.
The finest dark and light granite will create an impressive interlocking design that will become the stage for our rich heritage of world-class institutions.
The emphasis will be on minimalist street design. Barriers and traffic signals will be removed – building on the successful High Street Kensington project. Street lighting has been specifically designed to complement the grand buildings of Exhibition Road.
To the south, Thurloe Street will be paved in York Stone. It will become a largely pedestrian area, creating a generous open space linking South Kensington Station arcade and Exhibition Road.
The unravelling of the one-way system around South Kensington Station will create a vast open space. The usage and design of this area has yet to be determined and the Council is discussing this with the local community.
before
after
top
of page