The underpass is a significant pedestrian route that connects the campus at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) to High Wycombe’s town centre. Working in partnership with BNU’s leadership team, the urban designers, and planners from Buckinghamshire Council, we aim to provide a safe, inclusive, and attractive passageway.
Reclaimed timber will be used to clad the vertical surfaces of the underpass whilst remaining independent of the existing structure. There are to be discrete variations in depth of the timber slats, forming shallow alcoves in which passers-by are encouraged to ‘take a perch’ and watch screens featuring work by students within the University’s Creative Industries department.
Due to the positioning of the project beneath a dual carriageway, our proposal was developed sensitively with regards to Highways compliance.
Our teams opted for timber materials due to its natural appearance, warm aesthetic, and durability, further to its low maintenance characteristics. It also creates a visual continuity with the BNU’s Concourse and Gateway Garden and complementing recent townscape initiatives in the wider area.
