The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) recently announced the winner of the Portugal Street Public Realm design competition. Gustafson Porter + Bowman (GPB) has been formally appointed to prepare landscape design proposals for the reimagination and pedestrianisation of Portugal Street, which currently bisects LSE’s University Quarter.
The design competition included shortlisting Gustafson Porter + Bowman (GPB), LDA Design, J&L Gibbons, and Gillespies, who presented their designs at an exhibition at LSE last November for employee and student feedback. The design competition was “to transform Portugal Street to reflect and enhance LSE’s reputation as a world-leading university. With particular attention to quality, extent and flexibility of spaces, access, navigation, circulation, sightlines, materials and amenities.”
The landscape architecture practice was named winner of the LSE design competition by a jury panel comprising Julian Robinson, Director of Estates, Professor Suzi Hall, Head of the Department of Sociology, Professor Ricky Burdett CBE, Professor of Urban Studies and Director of LSE Cities, and Tito Molokwu, Students’ Union General Secretary. The jury considered their concept to be closest to LSE’s aspirations, presenting a sophisticated and elegant response to the design brief, including a focus on public art, inclusivity and accessibility.
Design work is expected to start imminently, with completion of RIBA Stage 2 by the end of the summer. The first phase is expected to start on-site at the beginning of 2028.