We can't quite believe that it has been ten years since the completion of the landscapes at NEO Bankside in Southwark for Native Land.
Perhaps considered one of our most iconic projects, the distinctive and verdant landscaping at the RIBA Stirling Prize-shortlisted housing scheme continues to flourish and delight, enjoyed by both its residents and unsuspecting commuters who discover the tranquil space on their route to work.
We were incredibly fortunate to work alongside Graham Stirk of Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, who early on shared his powerful vision for a series of pavilions set amongst linear groves of birch, extending the distinctive landscape around Tate Modern into the heart of the scheme. What transpired was a beautiful tapestry of woodland gardens and walkways, an enticing inner world that complemented the exquisite architecture. The soft undulations of the groves, introduced to allow large trees to be planted over the basement slab, created spaces within the space, layering and filtering views and adding an overall sense of intimacy.
During the planning discussions, the London Borough of Southwark insisted that the landscape be accessible to the public during the day. As a result, we added two primary footpaths to facilitate this permeability. This is the immense gift of the scheme, the communal sharing of a green urban oasis that has become the route many take and enjoy every day. We employed a number of landscape devices to separate the public from the private realm. The moats and bridges through the groves convey a series of liminal spaces, marking the interface of communal areas and residential space. The history of landscape design is full of these rich threshold moments, enhancing the sense of journey, decision making and discovery that landscape design is all about.
