andy sturgeon plants garden of elements at battersea power station

andy sturgeon plants garden of elements at battersea power station
all images courtesy of andy sturgeon landscape and garden design

andy sturgeon landscape and garden design has been appointed to create three roof gardens as part of the redevelopment of london’s battersea power station. working as a consultant to LDA design, the lead landscape architect on the first and second phases of the project, the scheme emphasizes the original use of the historic structure, referencing three elements: fire, water and air.

‘switch house west’ includes a slender 120 meter garden that stretches along an organic meandering path

the first area of plantation, ‘switch house east’ comprises strong architectural components with large corten steel fins designed to represent fire. elsewhere, wide lawns and mounded plantings respond directly to the distinctive power station, with terraced galleries at both ends of the garden offering residents and office users panoramic views across the city.

the theme of water is incorporated within ‘switch house west’ where a slender 120 meter garden stretches along an organic meandering path, located above the 1930s structure and connecting it to its riverside setting.

the third part of the design, ‘boiler house square’, features london’s largest glass atrium set within the building’s four distinctive chimneys. the garden can only be accessed from a series of luxury apartments where cloud-like plantings representative of air is set within vast dishes of shallow water.

‘boiler house square’ features london’s largest glass atrium set within the building’s four distinctive chimneys

flexible areas of greenery bring together expansive communal areas and intimate private spaces. throughout the project, materials have been chosen that emphasize the power station’s architectural heritage with recycled brick and steel used alongside bespoke concrete pavers. mounded planting is employed in order to ensure that the gardens feel open and accessible, while raised beds and tall grasses immerse guests. vegetation is designed to offer year round interest with a mix of evergreens, mediterranean and more exotic species.

the garden can only be accessed from a series of luxury apartments

the roof gardens are part of the second development phase of the 39-acre site masterplanned by rafael viñoly, which will see the creation of a new park connecting the power station to the thames riverside promenade. the site is designated as a new town center for the area, with a new high street, public square and tube station.

see designboom‘s ongoing coverage of the development here.

the 39-acre site is being masterplanned by uruguayan architect rafael viñoly