Students dream up future visions of Above Bar in Southampton city centre

They were created by university students, who have been challenged to become Southampton’s own Christopher Wren and one day create the new architecture that could transform the city.

Solent University students’ creations include a dramatic new look for Above Bar, which is covered by a glass roof.

Rows of neo-classical columns line the sides of the shopping precinct, while passing shoppers can even stop for a few moments to look at a giant glass aquarium.

Meanwhile Guildhall Square boasts water features and a bronze statue of the historic vessel the Mayflower.

Their work was exhibited at the recent launch event for Future Southampton, a new organisation formed to coordinate improvements in the city.

Chairman Trevor Thorne said the images were commissioned to show how the city centre could look in the future after a bold reimagining.

He said: “It was really to provide an upbeat image of what the city could be in the years to come, and we’ve got the wit and whereabouts to do it.

“But it was also to say to the students that if you look at major cities like London or Barcelona, they have had people like Christopher Wren or Gaudi who have transformed them.

“They could become the Gaudi or Wren of Southampton.”