Neo Bankside

Southwark, London, UK

A greater awareness of the value of nature in cities and the benefits it brings to our quality of life led to a new approach to exterior design at NEO Bankside. Set around the footprint of four luxury pavilions, we have created a new micro-ecological environment in this established urban setting, striking a unique division between public and private space.

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At NEO Bankside, we have created a stunning series of intricately detailed garden spaces around the footprint of four contemporary apartment pavilions designed by Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners, located close to the Tate Modern.

Inspired by the beauty of the countryside, the final landscape design incorporates soft plantings that are native to woodlands, which beautifully complement the modern architecture of the buildings. Private garden spaces blend seamlessly with tree-lined groves of alder and birch, creating a boundary to the new public realm.

Our landscape strategy defines the threshold between semi-private, private, and publicly accessible spaces, creating a strong sense of identity for the site. This is achieved using planted berms, pebble-lined moats, stone-lined cuttings, and narrow walkways.

The elegant and tranquil landscaped gardens feature a beehive, orchard fruit trees, and a herb garden, providing residents with opportunities to engage with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The introduction of groves also complements the existing planted language around Tate Modern, integrating the network of public spaces into the wider area.

With its diverse range of planting, NEO Bankside’s outdoor spaces provide a palpable connection with nature, providing a tranquil and uplifting experience for the public and a place of rest and retreat for residents. With its serene and calming atmosphere, NEO Bankside's outdoor spaces inspire a sense of peace and harmony within all who walk through them.

"NEO Bankside is seductive architecture. On a pocket of land between some single-storey almshouses and the multiplying monoliths that are Tate Modern, the developers have squeezed in a group of exquisite towers and some of the best new landscaping in London."

2015 RIBA Stirling Judges' comments

Awards

  • 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize Shortlist
  • 2015 RIBA London Award
  • 2015 World Architecture News Residential Award — Shortlisted
  • 2015 RIBA National Award
  • 2014 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat: Urban Habitat Award - Finalist
  • 2013 Landscape Institute Award - Best Hard Landscaping £300k category
  • 2012 Constructing Excellence (London and the South East) Awards — Health and Safety Award Winner
  • 2012 New Homes and Gardens Awards: Gold for Best Communal Garden / Landscape and Gold for Best Landscaped Urban Development
  • 2012 Best Large Development and Grand Prix Award: Evening Standard
  • 2012 Best Landscape Architecture (London) and Best Architecture (UK): International Property Awards
  • 2011 Best Development (London) and Best Development (UK): International Property Awards

“Working within the plan for NEO Bankside developed by architects RSHP, we have created visually stimulating spaces between and beneath the buildings, creating an overall sense that NEO Bankside is floating on a cloud of trees. To achieve this, we studied the mix and composition of each space carefully.

We responded to the challenges created by the particular arrangement of the tall buildings in terms of wind, light and shade to ensure that the outdoor spaces have visual interest throughout the year.

The completed landscape ensures that NEO Bankside’s residents will enjoy quiet seclusion in their own private gardens while members of the public passing through can also enjoy the wider landscape.”

Stephen Richards, Partner at Gillespies