Elephant Park: West Grove designs revealed

Gillespies designed the landscapes and public realm for West Grove, and is also the overall landscape masterplanner for Elephant Park - the landmark sustainable development project in London's Elephant and Castle.

West Grove includes the creation of a vibrant new shopping environment, in addition to a new square designed by Gillespies.

The two courtyard spaces within West Grove provided an opportunity for Gillespies to create landscapes that relate to the different character of each neighbourhood. Highwood Gardens was conceived as a forest and glade, reflecting the character of the Walworth Woods and the dense coverage of London plane trees that were there previously, many of which have been retained along Walworth Road.

The courtyard in Highwood Gardens flows seamlessly into a garden terrace. The landscape within is a sensory design is dappled with light and characterised by its rich, woodland planting.  

Gillespies designed series of spaces within the courtyard that allow for different activities and opportunities for neighbours to informally meet and get to know each other. The clearings in the woodland capture sunlight to provide a variety of spaces such as the playful south-facing grass mini-amphitheatre. Each transition between these glades creates a sense of revealing as you move between the spaces. Woodland trees have been positioned at either side of the threshold to each glade to make the transition between them more dramatic.

The natural wave formations within the landscape encourage play, while the shaded, smaller spaces offer a degree of privacy. The sculpted shape of the sunken amphitheatre creates a blank canvas for gatherings. Timber seats provide comfort and warmth, while woodland stepping stones spark imagination and inspire creative play.