Children's Models for Hammersmith High Line Win High Praise

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Primary pupils create imaginative designs for transformation of disused railway line

West London Free School Primary's entry

Local schoolchildren's imaginative ideas for the transformation of Hammersmith's disused railway line have won high praise from architectural judges.

A competition to transform the line, inspired by New York's famous High Line, was run by Hammersmith BID and West London Link, composed of a number of local architects.

It asked people to rethink use of the space - a 300 metre long line on top of a brick viaduct adjacent to King Street - and attracted over 60 entries from adults, including the two winning entries.

Alongside their ideas, budding architects at four local primary schools - St. Peter’s CofE Primary; St. Paul’s Primary School; St. Stephen’s CofE Primary School and West London Free School Primary - took part by creating detailed handcrafted models that demonstrated a strong sustainability theme.

The joint winners of the Hammersmith Highline Schools Competition were St. Paul’s CofE Primary School and West London Free Primary School. The judges felt the designs succeeded in creating a destination space that would attract people to the town centre.

The judges felt West London Free School Primary submitted a great idea and said: “What a great fun piece for the younger generation! Ideas around play, interaction and a sense of community made it an exciting submission.

" Blown up detailing was also great as the detailed plants and trees helped visualise the smaller models. Great creativity and strong work.”

St Paul’s CofE Primary School entry

About the exciting model created by St. Paul’s CofE Primary School the judges said: “An Engineering team in the making? Such a cool structure. A great representation of the existing bridge and structural details.

"Great detailing on the greenery/shrubs which bring the bridge to life! Check out that tower - how cool is that!"

The judges also commended the immense effort and creativity of the two runners up.

St. Stephen’s CofE Primary School’s entry

On St. Stephen’s CofE Primary School’s model the judges said: "A great all-round design, neat, colourful, addressed lots of greening, water and environmental factors which counteracts the general urban feel of Hammersmith.

" Also, we particularly liked the walk-through covered area which provided light and shelter all year round. Impressive stuff! Great use of textures and colours and relief."

St. Peter’s CofE Primary School's entry

For St. Peter’s CofE Primary School, the judges said: “We loved the coloured borders and use of contrasting around the edge which help you forget that you're in central London on a disused railway line!

"Who'd have thought you can get so many covered areas in?  Great water representation through use of foil and again - superb tree modelling."

Medidata, an international Hammersmith-based business, sponsored the competition and the winning schools will receive £500 each. All of the children who took part will receive goody bags courtesy of RIBA.

More details about the competition can be found here.

July 8, 2019