Westminster Bridge Road

Description

The provision of a large central landscape for public and resident use is a central concept of the Bridgewater Gardens development. Grey stone filled gabions line the footpaths that criss-cross the landscape space linking Salisbury Road to Rye Road and Rye House station. The change in level across the site has been exploited with a vivid bank of Cornus alba 'sibrirca' (red stemmed dogwoods) contrasting with the Betula pendula 'Fastiglaca' (silver birch) that have been planted throughout. Hardwood benches integrated into the stone walls provide opportunities to sit and enjoy this new space whilst residents can enjoy the space from within their flats and from main circulation cores that benefit from floor to ceiling windows overlooking the space.

Planning History

The site originally comprised of two vacant industrial sheds situated on the edge of a predominantly residential area. Initial feasibility studies that had been carried out suggested that the site could accommodate approximately 30 houses with associated gardens and parking. A design competition was held by B3Living and Rock Townsend proposed an alternative strategy for 50-60 flats contained within two blocks of 4 and 5 storeys with basement parking and a substantial central landscape to connect the development into the surrounding areas.