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Designers light up the Thames for Illuminated River competition

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Six shortlisted proposals have been unveiled for the Illuminated River design competition, which has seen 17 London bridges between Albert and Tower bridge lit up as part of a permanent light installation. Designs by six international teams, including New York architect Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s scrolling light proposal for Chelsea Bridge are currently on display in a free public exhibition at London’s Royal Festival Hall until November 29. Whittled down from 105 entrants, the six shortlisted teams in The Illuminated River competition have devised designs that involve spotlights, projections and florescent tubes. Together the groups contain 73 artists, architects, designers, planners and engineers from across Asia, Europe, as well as North and South America.

Other proposals include a ripple-covered London Bridge which mirrors the ripples of the Thames and a multicoloured Southwark bridge, both designed by a team led by Adjaye Associates. The proposals are available to view online, and the public is being invited to share their thoughts on the designs via a survey at the exhibition and on the Illuminated River site. A jury including Lord Rothschild and Malcolm Reading will then decide the overall winner, which will be announced online on December 9. The competition organiser, Malcolm Reading Consultants, has also announced that £10 million is being pledged to go to the project; £5 million from Peter Baldwin and Lisbet Rausing through the Arcadia Fund, and a further £5 million from the Rothschild Foundation.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said of the project: “We believe that the Illuminated River will not only be a wonderful celebration of the River Thames, London’s vital artery, but will make a major contribution to the growing importance of London’s night-time economy, underlining London as a centre for the creative industries.” Hannah Rothschild, who is chair of both The Illuminated River Foundation and The National Gallery, added: “Since the founding of London, the mighty Thames has been the city's main artery, linking north and south, east and west, encouraging business, activity and recreation. But at night, the river becomes a ribbon of darkness, a place that few enjoy and at odds with the ambition to make London a 24-hour city. This project will bring light, energy, beauty and recreation to the river and at the flick of a switch, transform the city at night.”

Team One: Blurring Boundaries, led by Adjaye Associates

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Team Two: The Eternal Story of the River Thames, led by AL_A

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Team Three: Synchronising the City: Its Natural and Urban Rhythms, led by Diller Scofidio + Renfro

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Team Four: Current, led by Leo Villareal

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Team Five: A River Ain't Too Much To Light, led by Les Éclairagistes Associés

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Team Six: Thames Nocturne, led by Sam Jacob Studio

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