Platforms with clay-tiled pitched roofs and views across the reservoirs of the Lee Valley in north London have won architects Gort Scott first prize in the RIBA Forgotten Spaces competition, which sought designs to revitalise forgotten areas of the capital.

‘Reservoir Roofs’ is designed to open up views of the reservoirs near Walthamstow Marshes, which are currently difficult to access, while protecting them and keeping them unspoilt.

"We’ve been regular visitors to Walthamstow Marshes for some time, and the curious 5ft high tunnel through to Coppermill Lane, but the reservoirs to the north were just a shape on an A-Z to us until last year,” said Gort Scott.

Second prize was awarded to Scott Brownrigg for its scheme called ‘The Pool’, which proposes to transform a disused tram tunnel in Camden into a public pool with diving and promenade areas.

Meanwhile third prize went to Craft Pegg’s ‘Thames Archipelago’, a design of floating “eco rafts” in the East India basin in the Thames for plants and animals to live on and for local people to visit on supervised trips.

“The site is the view from our office window, but it could be anywhere along the tidal Thames. We have been aware of the under use of the river for years, but working adjacent to it, we have become aware of the conflicting ambitions and potentials that it contains,” said Craft Pegg.

Mark Brearley, director of Design for London, who ran the competition with RIBA and Qatari Diar, said: “The winning proposals offer innovative and alternative approaches for distinct sites across London. This competition has highlighted the potential in the city’s landscape for interventions and revealed some truly exciting thinking.”

The winning designs and the shortlisted 20 (SB, April 2010) will feature in a Forgotten Spaces exhibition at the National Theatre, London, from 24 May to 4 July.

http://www.architecture.com/ForgottenSpaces  
http://www.gortscott.com  
http://www.scottbrownrigg.com  
http://www.craftpegg.com