Water Loopy Bypass

Continuing the creative takeover of Waterloo’s railways arches, Water Loopy Bypass is the latest lighthearted flourish to a previously unloved corner of London’s public realm. 

Seven students from Cohort 5, joined forces with local residents from St John’s at Waterloo Arts Club, to discuss ideas, design and paint this brand new mural. 

Through five creative sessions lead by Patricio and the LSOM students, a number of ideas were imagined, developed and refined until there two strong design options emerged. During the creative process, careful consideration was taken regarding the physical context of the space, particularly as this is an area that people who are experiencing homelessness may be sleeping. 

These two options were presented to other local community networks such as LERA, Coin Street and SOWN, who all voted on which they’d like to see come to life. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the local groups were most charmed by the cartoon-like birds swooping, sitting and sipping their morning brew under the bridge.

The pigeons were an idea that made an appearance in a previous participatory process for a nearby mural on Sandell street street in September 2024, but ultimately didn’t make it to the final design. This time around they finally secured the lime-light.

This is an artwork that can be enjoyed a little bit differently every time it is seen, with many small details to keep passersby pausing for a closer look.