BIG reveals design for malaysia square at battersea power station

BIG reveals design for malaysia square at battersea power station
image courtesy of battersea power station / BIG

images have been revealed of ‘malaysia square’, a public square to be located at the heart of london’s battersea power station development. designed by renowned danish architect bjarke ingels, the project is his firm’s first UK-based scheme, and links the southern entrance of the restored power station with the top of the ‘electric boulevard’ – a high street that runs between norman foster’s ‘battersea roof gardens’ and frank gehry’s ‘prospect place’.

integrated bridges and stairways reference malaysia’s landscape and geology
image courtesy of battersea power station / BIG

the design is envisioned as a two-level urban canyon with integrated bridges and stairways that reference malaysia’s distinctive landscape and geology. the spaces will be clad with a wide variety of material finishes, including limestone, granite and marble, reminiscent of the caves found in the country’s gunung mulu national park. at the center of the amphitheater, a fountain is planned, which will take the form of malaysia’s national flower.

the design is envisioned as a two-level urban canyon, serving as the ‘front door’ for the vast development
image courtesy of battersea power station / BIG

‘situated at the very foot of the towering battersea icon, the new malaysia square derives its shape from human flows, creating a cascading landscape carved into the street – or simply put: form follows flow’, explained bjarke ingels. ‘as an urban canvas of possibilities for cultural expression, where landscape, architecture, urbanism and media design are in complete harmony – the new malaysia square lends dignity to the majestic industrial heritage while paving the way for a new malaysia identity.

‘the remarkable reception we have received from UK and international purchasers, along with the outstanding multinational talents who have collaborated to shape the future of this historic redevelopment have made the project a global success story with a very bright future indeed, as befitting battersea power station’s storied past as the powerhouse of london.’

the plans were unveiled by the prime minister of malaysia najib razak together with the mayor of london, boris johnson, who was on an official visit to kuala lumpur. read more about the development on designboom here.