Fletcher Priest Architects has won the competition to create a High Line for London with its “low line” design. The contest, inspired by New York’s High Line and aimed at “enriching the capital’s green infrastructure,” attracted 170 entries from a wide range of both well-known and new firms. The winning proposal, entitled “Pop Down,” is a scheme for an urban mushroom garden beneath Oxford Street.

Describing the winning proposal, the architects explain,

“Pop Down seeks to capitalize on a forgotten network of tunnels under London, an urban experience where visitors can embark on an expedition underground, entering, and exiting the tunnels from street level. The tunnels provide the ideal environment for an urban mushroom farm with the introduction of daylight through a series of sculptural glass-fibre ‘mushrooms’ at street level. These will highlight the route of the tunnel above ground and will convey daylight to the tunnels below through punctures along their length. The produce will serve new pop-up concept ‘Funghi’ restaurants and cafés at each entrance.”

Read the entire article via Architizer Blog » Urban Mushroom Garden Scheme Wins London’s High Line Competition.