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Riverlight

Transforming a five-acre industrial estate into a vibrant, connected community of homes and public spaces by the Thames.

Nine Elms, London, UK

Riverlight residential landscape in South London with play area, lawns, and planting designed by Gileespies landscape architects.

A pioneering residential-led development on a ﬁve-acre industrial estate, close to Battersea Power Station on the south bank of the River Thames. The careful arrangement of the six buildings maximised the amount of public open space, leading to the creation of a series of generous, attractive public and private spaces, and improved connectivity.

Designed by world-renowned architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Riverlight consists of six modern and elegant pavilions that share the same architectural language but vary in height and colour. The careful arrangement of these pavilions generated opportunities to create a permeable open space, with the riverfront visible and accessible between each of the six pavilions.

The new landscapes and public realm have been specifically designed to create a strong identity and a sense of place unique to Riverlight. The landscape design addresses the requirements of this new residential community and complements the wider Nine Elms Masterplan.

The public areas are treated as a revealed river bed with a series of soft, pebble-like forms, while the private courtyards form calm green spaces with heavy tree planting and water gardens. The newly created river walk — slightly raised to allow views over the river wall to the Thames — brings a 17m-wide boulevard to a previously underused part of the waterfront.

Riverlight South London landscape design with water features, lawns, trees, and seating areas by landscape architects.

Riverlight residential development on Thames with modern riverside landscape architecture and public realm design in South London.

Riverlight residential landscape with mature trees, green lawns, and riverside public space in South London.

Riverlight South London residential development with landscaped public seating, planting design, and modern riverside urban realm architecture.

Riverlight South London residential landscape with modern planting, urban seating, and sustainable public realm design by landscape architects.

"I was very impressed with the team at Gillespies. There was a very high quality of thinking behind the concept and execution of the detailed scheme (for Riverlight, London)."

Sean Ellis, Chairman of St James