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Kingfisher House,
Juniper Drive,
Battersea Reach,
London,
SW18 1TX

The
Water Gardens.

Commercial

The Water Gardens is located to the North of Marble arch / Hyde Park in the London Borough of Westminster within the Connaught Village, London W2 2DA. The Water Gardens buildings and landscaped gardens were originally completed in 1966 and were inspired by the modernist and Brutalist architectural movements. The development was designed by Architect Chris Whittaker and the podium deck roof gardens were laid out by Landscape Architect Philip Hicks.

Client : The Church Commissioners for England

Landscape Designers : Refolo Landscape Architects (R-LA)

Landscape Construction & Management : Bartholomew Landscaping

Main Contractors : Makers

Project Managers : Colliers International

01

Unfortunately after many years the roofs were now leaking and paving was in poor condition. The Church Commissioners for England decided that the only solution was to completely remove the old roof coverings and locate a new waterproof membrane over the whole slab. They commissioned Refolo Landscape Architects to prepare a new design for the paving and planting that would be sympathetic to the Architecture but using the latest materials and techniques.

We were invited by specialist roofing and waterproofing contractors Makers to tender for the landscape elements of the scheme that involved the refurbishment of the main podium and we were delighted when we were appointed to carry out the works.

All of the original planting and paving had to be carefully removed by our teams to enable Makers to carry out waterproofing of the whole roof before we were able to carry out the careful reinstatement of the drainage layers and soil. Beautiful granite and concrete slabs supplied by Hardscape were laid on the podium deck and 25 fabulous mature trees were specially imported and planted to ensure that the gardens were restored to their former glory.

02

Masterplan prepared by Refolo Landscape Architects

Masterplan prepared by Refolo Landscape Architects

03

During the works we removed and replaced 530 tons of soil, 1,500m2 of paving and 375 tons of subbase and drainage material. Some of the voids that were located in the old roof structure were infilled and planted using 60m3 of specialist light weight substrate and drainage layers supplied by zinco.

A rainwater harvesting system has been incorporated under the podium paving to enable the storage of up to 95,000 litres of water that supplies the irrigation system that was installed by Watermatic. This means that the new trees and planting are thriving and the gardens look fabulous just a few months after installation.

It was a pleasure to work closely with Refolo Landscape Architects, Colliers International and Makers Construction Ltd on this exciting project, and the whole team was delighted when the project won a prestigious award at The UK Roofing Awards 2019 and Liquid Waterproofing Project of the Year 2019.