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The proposed design for this public square draws both on its historically significant urban surroundings and its existing natural assets, in the form of mature trees, to connect the city to nature.

Layout

The structure of the design is formed by the main routes through the space. By moving the entrances, and creating two new additional entrances, more visitors are welcomed in from all sides. Two main boulevards, inspired by the European heritage of garden squares, run across the garden with space on either side to relax. Secondary paths crisscross the garden and employ a horizontal patterned path to slow the pace of those using the park as part of their daily commute. This functional structure is layered with a route through the garden visiting the site of each of the London Plane trees. This tertiary path provides an opportunity for play, curiosity and interaction with nature, working to hide and reveal different aspects of the space.

Finally, organic forms inspired by the situation of the trees within the site provide closed sections within the space, intersected by paths. Spaces for exercise and vegetable growing serve the local community while expanses of water offer havens for wildlife. Formal planting beds within these shapes provide interest throughout the garden.

Planting

As the climate moves towards extremes, this design celebrates seasonality. A palette of greens, browns and occasional punctuations of purples or blues as occur naturally in English woodland will reflect the simple palette of a Bridget Riley gouache held in the collection of the nearby Tate Britain, used as inspiration because of its visual proximity to the linear townhouses that surround the square. Large expanses of lawn provide space for relaxation and play throughout the garden, with open areas large enough for community events. Outer sections of the garden with existing mature trees are filled with low woodland planting that spills down a low bank onto the narrow ‘woodland’ path so that visitors exploring the garden this way will have an extended and closer view of the ‘forest floor’. Where these sections meet the edge of the garden and the existing railings, native hedging provides screening.

Finally, formal planting beds throughout the garden take inspiration from the arrangement of colour into columns in the same Riley gouache, connecting the space visually to its linear townhouse surroundings. Visitors will enjoy the layered movement created in these beds by the wind that travels through this corridor to and from the river, while residents will be able to view the patterns from above.