Futurecity developed a Cultural Vision for Keybridge House, a major residential-led development in the heart of Vauxhall, to help shape a strong sense of place and foster meaningful connections between new residents and the surrounding community. Positioned within the rapidly evolving Nine Elms on the South Bank Opportunity Area, the project sought to respond to Vauxhall’s layered industrial, social and cultural history while contributing to its emerging identity as a creative urban district.

The strategy was grounded in extensive contextual research, mapping the area’s historic relationship with the River Thames, its hidden waterways, industrial heritage and long tradition of leisure, entertainment and collective gathering. This research informed a unifying vision that positioned culture as a core element of the development, embedded within the landscape, public realm and everyday experience of the site.

At the heart of the vision was the idea of the ‘Hidden River’ - a conceptual and material framework that explored water, flow and movement as narrative devices across the public realm. Futurecity set out a series of opportunities for embedded public art, artist-designed infrastructure and socially focused commissions that would encourage interaction, play and moments of discovery.

The strategy also established clear commissioning principles and governance models, including the potential appointment of a Lead Artist to work alongside the design team and local communities. Alongside permanent artworks, the vision proposed meanwhile and community-led projects to activate the site during development and support long-term stewardship. Artist Tom Price was commissioned to develop the Hidden River, a public realm sculpture that feels shaped by flowing water, as if a hidden river had carved a secret route through London beneath the surface.

Together, the Cultural Vision provided Mount Anvil with a practical, deliverable framework for integrating art, culture and community engagement into the transformation of Keybridge House, ensuring culture was embedded from the outset and evolved over time.

Site images via Mount Anvil; photo of Hidden River by Tom Price