London Wants its Own High Line, but Underground and with More Fungus

I’m a cynic extraordinaire when it comes to green architecture concepts; most visual proposals—with or without faux pedestrians Photoshopped all over the place—prove to be pipe dreams. But every now and again something tangible comes of all those reaching garden spires and edible dome illustrations. In this case, a proposal backed not only by a competition win, but by the city mayor.

Since the High Line staked its claim as today’s most recognizable example of recycled industrial space, it makes sense that other cities are making the effort to create their own railway gardens and subway menageries. In this case, the metropolis in question is London, and the space is a length of unused postal tunnel. But unlike the High Line’s airy, above-ground display, the designer intends to create a subterranean mushroom garden lit with fiber optic cables.

For some reason, I can’t stop thinking about the end of the E.T. ride at Universal Studios. And, in my head at least, it really works. —MN