TARA MEHTA
The figure ground graphic above shows Waterloo station, which dominates the area, and its surroundings in the boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth in London, United Kingdom, with the River Thames flowing to the north. The Southbank consists of considerable commercial attractions, like the London Eye. Deeper into Waterloo, the neighborhood is a mix of old and new, and commercial and residential buildings. The circle highlights a block of privately owned mixed used buildings at the mouth of the street Lower Marsh just south of the station. The block is most famously known for a restaurant called Cubana.
This aerial view shows the city block, south of Waterloo Station, where the streets Lower Marsh, Baylis Road and Spur Road come together. The highlighted building, at the mouth of Lower Marsh, is a three story mixed used structure with significant sidewalk pavement space in front of the entrance to the building. The ground floor is used for retail/restaurant space. The upper floors are mixed used residential and commercial.
This axonometric drawing shows key characteristics of the city block at the mouth of Lower Marsh in London, including hard landscaping (roads and sidewalks) and soft landscaping (green spaces and city council trees). Vehicular circulation is mostly concentrated on the two way major road of Baylis road and there is lighter vehicular traffic on streets of Lower Marsh and Spur roads toward the right side of the image. Pedestrian circulation lines the roads but is also concentrated in the significant pavement space in front of the restaurant/bar, Cubana.
The Actor-Network Theory map traces some of the businesses that occupy the streetscape depicted near Waterloo Station on Lower Marsh. The map presents a web layout to explore the actors and frameworks to explore the businesses, business and community organizations and city councils initiatives of the area. Cubana, the prominent restaurant of the area, is founded and run by Phillip Oppenheim who was a previous Treasury Minister and member of Parliament. Oppenheim has looked to expand the restaurant space and develop a mini-chain in the UK due to the success of Cubana in Waterloo, through crowdfunding. He also helped to create the local organization WeAreWaterloo that has focused on revitalizing the area for local businesses and residents. WeAreWaterloo works initimately with the local city council to introduce a farmers and food stall market for example. The Lambeth city Council also has several different initiatives to try and improve air quality and carbon footprints, as the UK has a collective goal to be net-zero by 2050. Although some reports show that London still has a long way to go as it still tops the UK carbon footprint list.
This speculative image transformation shows an alternative use of the space including a sculptural green space and a canal-like waterway, and more community engagement. The sculptural green space negates the need for maintaining outdoor accessories but makes it accessible and fun for both the restaurant it is in front of and other pedestrian visitors. The waterway is subtle commentary on the London’s carbon footprint and resulting rising water levels. Other details such as gentle twinkly lights, added flora and trees create a warmer fairy like environment than compared to the grey pavement that dominates the ground space of the area.