The LFA and Network Rail have launched a new open call competition for creative and innovative solutions for pop-up, flexible bike parking facilities that can easily be rolled out at different times and locations to support cyclists using railway stations. The open call invites architects, designers and engineers to create a prototype installation, testing new ideas on how railway stations can adapt to the changing demand in bike parking provision and allowing Network Rail to provide easy to use and safe bike storage for cyclists, whilst they make their onward journeys.
In the last decade, stations have experienced a significant increase in the demand for bike parking, coinciding with the rapid implementation of pop-up bike lanes across cities. The competition brief calls for creative bike storage solutions at stations that can adapt to fluctuating demand through different seasons, weather conditions or major public events.
Following an initial expression of interest stage, up to six shortlisted teams will be paid an honorarium of £500 to work up an outline proposal. A winning team will be appointed in November 2021 and awarded £12,000 (including a £4,000 design fee) to develop a fully costed, feasible design that can be delivered in June 2022 at one of Network Rail’s mainline London stations as part of the London Festival of Architecture.
Detailed information for entrants is available here. The closing date for first stage expressions of interest is Thursday 30 September 2021.
The competition is the latest phase of an ongoing partnership between Network Rail and the LFA to improve the experience of passengers at London’s mainline stations, and to give opportunities to architects, designers, and other built environment professionals to showcase their talent in practical ways. The ‘Sitting Pretty’ competition saw the creation of bespoke benches by emerging architects and designers across London mainline railway stations in autumn 2020, while the ‘Curating Concourses’ competition – won by Muslim Women in Architecture and revealed in July – produced a prototype modular exhibition design at Euston Station that can be rolled out elsewhere.
The Pop-Up Bike Parking competition is being judged by an expert panel including:
- Anthony Dewar (network technical head buildings and architecture, Network Rail)
- Frank Anatole (principal architect, Network Rail)
- Tim Dunn (railway historian and TV presenter)
- Rosa Rogina (programme director, LFA)
- Paul Priestman (director, PriestmanGoode)
- Sarah Wigglesworth (director, Sarah Wigglesworth Architects)
Rosa Rogina says,
“We are delighted to be working once again with Network Rail to harness the talent of architects, designers and engineers to improve provision for cyclists at railway stations. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the changing face of transport, and to showcase imaginative design in the public domain. Better provision for cyclists benefits everyone, and I am certain this competition can have a lasting and positive impact on our stations and cities.”
Frank Anatole says,
“We want to ensure journeys are as smooth as possible for all passengers – from the moment people approach the station and as they continue on through the railway network. This competition, in partnership with the London Festival of Architecture, allows us to look for innovative and creative bike storage solutions and we look forward to seeing how entrants respond to the brief.”
