Southbank Undercroft
Gallery
In Brief

Client: Long Live Southbank & Southbank Centre

Location: London

Cost:
Phase 1: £1.1m

Completed:
Phase 1: July 2019

The Undercroft is an important part of the Southbank Centre complex. It was first discovered by skateboarders in 1973 and quickly developed into one of the most important skateboarding spots in the world. With the intention of a temporary closure, part of the Undercroft was boarded up in 2004 and has not been skated since.

FCBStudios have sensitively restored the space beneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall for skateboarding and a new learning and creative space for children and young people will be used to support the activities of the Southbank Centre's Festival Arts School Programme.

The objective of the restoration works was to reinstate the physical makeup of the Undercroft to the exact 1960s design and to merge it seamlessly with the current skate space. Iconic parts of the Undercroft including the much loved Small Banks and Wooden Ledges, legendary in skateboarding history but closed off for more than a decade have been restored.

The skate space reopens over 400sqm of new space for skating, BMXing and graffiti and gives a much-needed increase in free creative space on the South Bank of the Thames.

Testimonial
Quote Image
"The Southbank Undercroft is a rare free creative space in the very heart of London, it will enrich London's cultural life, give young people positive and creative outlets as well as a much needed sense of community."
Long Live Southbank
The Little Banks Return
Video Cover Image

Flythrough the Southbank Undercroft, where the original physical makeup of the space will be reinstated as free creative space.

Watch video
Drawings
Explore more Arts & Culture projects: