NOOMA Studio Completes Public Realm Revitalisation on Wilcox Road, Lambeth
- Mar 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 11
NOOMA Studio delivered the Shine a Light on Wilcox Road project in partnership with Lambeth Council and the London Festival of Architecture, revitalising a once-thriving market street through sensitive, light-touch public realm improvements that celebrate local heritage and support sustainable high street activity.
NOOMA Studio was awarded the 2022 London Festival of Architecture competition to revamp Wilcox Road in South Lambeth, scoring one of the highest marks ever achieved in the competition. Shine a Light on Wilcox Road revitalised the street through playful, distinctive branding that celebrated the lost traditions of craft and interactivity on British high streets. Using a “kit of parts,” the project highlighted local trades and culture, breathing new life into a once essential community hub in Nine Elms.
The project combined playful and practical elements, making use of existing street furniture and lamp posts to reduce clutter and preserve the street’s character. A flexible design toolkit allowed phased delivery of the concept, accommodating budgetary and practical constraints while maintaining visual and functional integrity. Key interventions included a co-designed mural, banners, and a bespoke illuminated gateway sign, guiding visitors along a narrative trail of colour, craft, and light. The scheme celebrated Wilcox Road’s unique identity, including its Portuguese-owned businesses, and reinforced its historic role as a local commercial hub. Rotating murals by local artists and bespoke signage ensured the public realm maintained an evolving cultural presence, supporting ongoing community engagement.
Community consultation shaped several design elements, including iconography reflecting the street’s diverse trades, ensuring the interventions both honoured local traditions and served the needs of residents and retailers. The project successfully created a more inviting, connected, and culturally expressive environment, strengthening footfall and supporting local businesses while respecting the street’s heritage.
As NOOMA Studio reflects, “Places like Wilcox Road are dear to our hearts. Our approach reinvigorates high streets with identity and civic pride, responding to the needs of the users and occupiers while creating joyful, connected spaces.”
Shine a Light on Wilcox Road exemplifies NOOMA Studio’s approach to people-led, accessible design: interventions that enrich public life, celebrate culture, and enhance urban experience through careful consideration of history, community, and place.
