Great Ormond Street and Queen Square | London, UK

The reimagined Great Ormond Street and Queen Square would prioritise people by creating an inviting, green space for socialising, recovery, and respite. Planned changes, including adjusted vehicle access, optimised ambulance routes, and pedestrian-focused design, would reshape the area into a peaceful urban retreat that fosters connection and wellbeing. Sustainability is at the heart of the design vision led by LDA Design. Reduced car access would support active travel, advancing London’s carbon-neutral goals. Moreover, reclaimed
spaces would feature a new, biophilic green infrastructure, creating an eco-friendly environment that promotes community health and resilience.
 

Lighting Design Concept for Public Realm

To enhance the human experience of the street, particularly given the high stress and anxiety that can be experienced by visitors to Great Ormond Street Hospital, we centred inclusive design and enjoyable wayfinding within our lighting proposal for the public realm project.

After dark, layers of amenity, decorative and playful lighting combine, providing functional legibility with moments of intrigue for children to discover along the route and inhabit the warm, welcoming landscape.

Drawing upon the local historic link to Peter Pan and the existing heritage street lanterns, a key lighting theme was to create a sense of enchantment. The layers of light help establish a sense of place for both residents and visitors, with features including dappled light amongst planting; warm glows to seating; hidden ‘glow worms’ at low level; and the environmental benefits of retaining and re-lamping the heritage lanterns to efficient, warm white LED.

The revitalised Great Ormond Street would include thoughtfully designed social spaces for reflection, intimate gatherings, and community events. Inspired by nature, these spaces would enhance mental and physical wellbeing. Success with GOSH’s play street events has already highlighted the social potential of this vision, underscoring the positive impact a greener, more welcoming street could bring to the entire community.