dhk reinvigorates the V&A waterfront in cape town with new 'battery park'

design studio, dhk, has created the new ‘battery park’ located at the V&A waterfront in cape town, south africa. the project is formed over various levels incorporating a number of functions, and intends to become the center of a larger urban re-development plan for the area. the 1.2 hectre (12,000 sqm) site boasts a park and piazza, as well as new pedestrian routes and spaces for leisure and recreational activities.

the battery park comprises of an elevated park and lower-level piazza 

all images by dave southwood and theo gutter

the project forms part of an urban design framework created by dhk for the V&A’s previously underutilised canal district, that facilitates the reconnection of the historical city centre to the V&A. the design aims to create a publicly accessible park that respects the archaeological importance of one the city’s oldest structures – the ‘amsterdam battery’ coastal fortification. various architectural and landscaped elements reflect the structure’s original footprint, such as semi-circular curved pathways, concrete additions to the rear ramparts, splayed canal-facing walls and concrete-clad structures.

the urban park is a new public space designed to support and engage the greater cape town community

the vision was to create scale between the two levels and provide visual cues to visitors; offering a glimpse of the park while they wander along the canal edge. this was also achieved by means of various soft and hard landscaping elements such as a grand concrete staircase leading from the piazza to the park, sloping and folding walls, and plants to draw the eye to the park above. on the elevated park level, visitors can explore landscaped gardens with trees and stone-clad planters, meandering walkways with built-in benches, a concrete skatepark, basketball court and new pedestrian routes. 

visitors are encouraged to engage in an array of activities including skateboarding, basketball and water sports

the lower piazza level contains 11 boutique retail units that line the splayed canal-facing walls and form an active eastern edge to the new pedestrian route. the intention behind the piazza is to activate the canal via a range of water sports and provide a link between the V&A and the CBD – encouraging a pedestrianised environment. in essence, the project by dhk creates a lively hub of activity for visitors and locals alike.

the intention behind the park is to facilitate a new hub of activity within the V&A waterfront district

the lower piazza level forms an active edge to the new canal pedestrian route

the design pays homage to the amsterdam battery, which was largely demolished in 1905

a precast concrete panel structure dubbed the ‘interpretation pavilion’ has been built to the estimated height of the battery’s original walls

inside the pavilion, historic cannons sit on top of precast concrete plinths made to resemble old timber cannon carriages

referencing the battery’s original façade, loosely packed stone-filled gabion walls conceal a parking facility

the elevated park has been kept at the battery’s original inner courtyard level

the design includes new pedestrian routes to invigorate the V&A waterfront precinct with activity

visitors can explore landscaped gardens with walkways and views towards the V&A waterfront and cape town’s city centre

project info:

project name: ‘battery park’

location: the V&A waterfront in cape town, south africa

design: dhk

photography: dave southwood, theo gutter

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom