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Kingfisher House, Juniper Drive, Battersea Reach, London, SW18 1TXThe regeneration of Battersea Reach’s 5.2 hectares of former industrial land established tiered residential buildings in a parkland setting. Construction work started in 2004. Our original commission was to design and build the soft landscaping around the first two buildings and down to the waterfront.
Architects and Hard Landscape : Broadway Malyan
Soft Landscape : Bartholomew Landscaping
Construction and Project Management : Bartholomew Landscaping
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We worked closely with Broadway Malyan (who were responsible for the hard landscape) and designed a scheme with strong geometric planting lines to unify the spaces around the buildings and link with a new river walk that meanders through terraced planting areas down to the foreshore. The landscaping in the public squares was implemented on podiums above underground car parks, which required lightweight construction materials and methods.
The many varied evergreens and herbaceous plants used throughout the scheme were chosen for their contrasting textures, flowers and year-round interest. Mature specimen trees were sourced from specialist nurseries all over Europe and planted to ensure that the whole development had a feeling of being very well established.
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Planting plan for Battersea Reach
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Along the river frontage, we changed the emphasis to ecological planting and one section of the Thames has been transformed from lifeless mud banks into a haven for plant and wildlife by the introduction of tidal planting retained by gabions and timber groins that extend into the river. A tidal boom has been installed to reduce the volume of waste that is deposited on the tidal planting that has now become well established.
The original scheme won a gold award at the Express newspapers New Homes and garden awards 2006.
We were delighted when what was originally the developments concierge came on the market and we were able to relocate our offices to the site in 2015 so that we can enjoy the wonderful development and landscape that we helped to create.