Arch 12 Transformation

Arch 12 is a disused railway arch beneath the former passenger lines from St Enoch Station to Barrhead and Paisley. Though no longer carrying passengers, the line remains active for freight trains. The elevated railway acts as a barrier between Laurieston and the Gorbals, and this project, in partnership with New Gorbals Housing Association, aimed to reconnect these communities through a new pedestrian walkway through the arches. It marks the first phase of a series of planned public realm improvements in the area.

New Gorbals set out three key objectives for the project:

Safety – creating a secure and welcoming route.
Visual Impact – ensuring a striking design.
Durability – building something robust for the urban environment.

The arch sits where two railway lines converge, resulting in an offset structure—like a misaligned zip—which presents both design opportunities and safety challenges. The misalignment creates dark corners, making the space feel unsafe. The walkway design addresses this by smoothing out these spaces, creating an open and inviting route.

The arch itself provided inspiration for the walkway’s form—its history, geometry, and brick detailing influenced the design. Early collaboration with artist Rachel Duckhouse brought further depth, with discussions on perspective, geometry, and overlapping lines shaping the final outcome. Rachel’s sketches helped inform the design, leading to a system of sweeping fins that guide movement through the arch.

The fins, crafted from rusted corten steel, vary in height and curvature along the walkway. Manufactured to precise tolerances by Glasgow-based Sculpture & Design, they were prefabricated in Maryhill before being assembled on-site. Between the fins, a bespoke mild steel mesh was carefully designed for both robustness and transparency. The mesh consists of individually set, bent, and welded rods, tested through 1:1 mock-ups and scale models to achieve the right balance of strength and openness.

The mesh also reflects Rachel Duckhouse’s exploration of perspective, with its appearance shifting from solid to transparent depending on the viewer’s angle. This dynamic effect, coupled with bold lighting enhances the experience of moving through the arch, making the journey both functional and visually engaging.

By transforming Arch 12 into a welcoming, well-lit pedestrian link, the project successfully overcomes the challenges of the disused arches while strengthening the connection between Laurieston and the Gorbals.