Shortlisted “Illuminated River” lighting scheme proposals unveiled

Six famous architecture firms teamed up with esteemed artists in September for the Illuminated River design competition, which will redesign the architectural lighting scheme of London's famous bridges across the River Thames. Now, the proposals are finally out. 

The teams took on a big challenge. They had to design lighting schemes for four iconic bridges — the Westminster, Waterloo, London and Chelsea — in addition to a masterplan for all 17 main road, rail and pedestrian bridges between the Albert Bridge and Tower Bridge. The jury will pick the proposal deemed as the most “elegant and charismatic” approach that is also innovative and environmentally conscious. 

The proposals — as well as four student entries from a related competition — will be on display at the Illuminated River Exhibition, which is happening at Royal Festival Hall now until November 29. You can also give feedback on the proposals online. The winner is expected to be revealed on December 8.

Have a look at each team's proposal below.

Adjaye Associates - Blurring Boundaries

Team credits: Adjaye Associates with Cai Guo-Qiang, Chris Ofili, Larry Bell, Jeremy Deller, Philippe Parreno, Richard Woods, Mariko Mori, Lorna Simpson, Teresita Fernández, Joana Vasconcelos, Angela Bulloch, Thukral & Tagra, Katharina Grosse, Glenn Ligon, Doug Aitken, Tomás Saraceno, onedotzero digital consultants, Plan A Consultants, DHA, Hurley Palmer Flatt, AKT II, AECOM, Arup, Sir Robert McAlpine, Tavernor Consultancy, DP9, Four Communications, Hayes Davidson digital visualisers, Bosch and iGuzzini

AL_A - The Eternal Story of the River Thames

Team credits: AL_A, Asif Kapadia, Simon Stephens, SEAM Design, Arup, GROSS. MAX., Mark Filip, Soundings and DP9

Diller Scofidio + Renfro - Synchronizing the City: Its Natural and Urban Rhythms

Team credits: Diller Scofidio + Renfro with Oliver Beer, Arup, Copper Consultancy, L’Observatoire International, Penoyre & Prasad, Jennifer Tipton and Transsolar

Leo Villareal + Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands - Current

Team credits: Leo Villareal with Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands and Future\Pace, Atelier Ten, Beckett Rankine, Bradley Hemmings, Core Five, Futurecity, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, MBNA Thames Clippers, Montagu Evans, Pentagram, Price & Myers.

Les Éclairagistes Associés - A River Ain’t Too Much To Light

Team credits: Les Éclairagistes Associés (L.E.A.), ecqi ltd. and Federico Pietrella in association with GVA Lighting Europe Limited and ewo srl

Sam Jacob Studio + Simon Heijdens - Thames Nocturne

Team credits: Sam Jacob Studio and Simon Heijdens with Studio Dekka, Daisy Froud, Elliott Wood, Jackson Coles and Professor John Tyrer

You can check out additional project images in the gallery below.

All images courtesy of Malcolm Reading Consultants.