Transforming the 'gloomy underpass' in Wandsworth, catch London-based designer-maker, Yinka Ilori's new large-scale, and incredibly vibrant public artwork come to life in an outdoor setting.

Saturday 22 - Sunday 30 June.

London-based designer Ilori won a competition to revitalise this gloomy underpass beneath the Thessaly Road railway bridge in SW8 with his cheerful ‘Happy Street’ installation featuring a rainbow of colours inspired by the vibrant hues observed at sunset over the nearby River Thames. The initiative was organised by London Festival of Architecture and Wandsworth Council as part of a package of improvements to the public realm in Nine Elms.

The Happy Street proposal is Yinka Ilori’s first public realm commission. It is an interactive and multi-sensory installation that floods the underpass with colour, light and scent to create an ever-shifting and stimulating experience for everyone who passes through. The walls of the underpass will be clad with brightly coloured panels, using enamel powder to create a low-cost, durable and reflective surface. At night the underpass is illuminated with different colours, combining safety with a desire to bring a sense of cheerfulness and delight to a hitherto ordinary environment.