Bankside BikeShed Competition: Winner Announced

The Architecture Foundation, on behalf of London's Better Bankside initiative, just announced the winner of a competition to design a modular, portable, secure cycle parking solution to serve the Bankside area of London. 

Studio Meda’s design integrates a simple roof structure providing shelter from the rain with the locking facilities required for the secure storage of bicycles. The result is a clean, elegant and sustainable solution that would be instantly recognizable across Bankside. This winning design will be built as a prototype later this year.

The shortlist were selected anonymously from over 50 entries and interviewed by a panel including: Jonathan Bell, Architecture Editor, Wallpaper* magazine; Sarah Ichioka, Director, The Architecture Foundation; Deborah Saunt, Director, DSDHA; Giles Semper, Deputy CEO, Better Bankside; Ashok Sinha, Chief Executive, London Cycling Campaign and Sarah Walton, Assistant Director, Cross River Partnership.

This competition forms part of Better Bankside’s ‘Smart Green Business’ Strategy; a project that involves working with member businesses to improve their environmental performance. This currently includes a free recycling scheme, public realm improvements and information events, as well as actively promoting cycling for commuting and work related trips though its Travel Planning program.

The issue of cycle parking has been high on the agenda of Better Bankside for the last few years. Data from the Bankside Employee Travel Survey 2010 indicate that up to 17% of trips made to Bankside on a regular basis are by bicycle. Discussion with member businesses has highlighted the problem of finding space for cycle parking, particularly when premises are leased or in older buildings. Better Bankside has therefore set a target to establish a secure cycle park in the western end of the BID area by March 2011.

Project Description from the Architects:

The core principle of the design is to integrate a simple roof structure with the locking facilities required for the secure storage of bicycles. The result is a clean and elegant solution that is almost iconic in its simplicity and would be instantly recognisable across Bankside.

By using a flexible kit of parts, the bike shelter can be adapted to different requirements for different sites across Bankside.

Additional locking elements can be added to provide further levels of security. Horizontal cross bars guide the direction of bike storage and provide further stability when parking a cycle. Lockers can also be added to give increased levels of security for frequent users for over-night and long-term cycle storage.

Bolt-connections and small and leightweight individual parts allow the structure to be easily assembled disassembled, moved and rebuilt across different sites.

By combining locking facilities and roof structure, the amount of visual clutter on the streets can be reduced.

All images courtesy of Meda Studio.