New London Architecture
Christchurch Gardens, Victoria, London
Built
Jill Mead
A unique green space dating back to the 13th Century has been transformed to create a welcoming new public realm which invites people to explore, enjoy and learn.
The fascinating history of Christchurch Gardens as a former burial ground dates back to the 13th Century. Several notable figures are buried on the site including Ignatius Sancho (the first black Briton to vote), and it has now been sensitively transformed into a community space for all.
Storytelling, accessibility, and biodiversity are key components of the transformation of Christchurch Gardens which has created a welcoming new public realm that invites people to explore, enjoy and learn. The design incorporates subtle design hints that acknowledge its historical links to Christ Church and the burial ground, and the retention of a bronze charter scroll of the Suffragette Movement (Caxton Hall, the movement’s meeting place, is opposite).
Key improvements include; a planting design that promotes biodiversity and supports pollinators, new habitat incidentals, improved signage and a new history panel, and the introduction of SuDS treatments.
The site layout was rearranged to create new and improve existing paths to better connect the space with the adjacent Strutton Ground food market and to encourage people to walk through the gardens, providing natural surveillance and a sense of openness.
A new performance space enables communal activity, elsewhere there are places for contemplation. The central lawn allows for groups of friends to gather and flexible play for children or family picnics.
Planting positioned around the boundaries create colourful edges allowing enjoyment of nature both inside the garden and from surrounding streets. The new inclusive design allows greater accessibility for all, with a near sevenfold increase in seating, with armrests and backs for the mobility impaired, and a new enhanced lighting scheme introduced.
The scheme has prompted positive feedback from businesses and residents and has won a series of awards and commendations. The prevalence of green public space in the city has never been as important as it is now for health and wellbeing.
Ruth Duston OBE, OC, Chief Operating Officer for London Heritage Quarter / Chief Executive, Victoria Business Improvement District said:
"The Christchurch Gardens project is another example of Victoria BID and Westminster City Council working together to enhance the public realm. Christchurch Gardens is now a welcoming area of green space for everyone to enjoy and its reopening comes at a time when access to high-quality greenspace is even more important because of COVID-19."
NEW LONDON AWARDS 2021
The prevalence of green public space in the city has never been as important as it is now for health and wellbeing.
The history of this unique green space, a former burial ground of the church adjacent to Westminster Abbey, stretches back to the 13th Century. A public open space since the 1950s in recent years it suffered from failing planting, lack of seating, anti-social behaviour and barriers limiting its accessibility
The transformation of Christchurch Gardens has created a welcoming new public realm that balances the past with the present and invites people to explore, enjoy and learn.
Project information
Status
Built
Borough
Westminster
Size
2800 sq m
Completion
September 2020
Location
St James's Park Station, London SW1P 2HX, UK
Team Credits
Client
City of Westminster / Victoria BID
Landscape Architect & Lead Consultant
Drainage & SuDS Engineer
EPG
Project Manager
Archaeology Consultant
Museum of London Archaeology
Soils Consultant
Tim O'Hare Associates
Lighting Designer
Light Bureau
Graphics
To The Point
Engineer
Ecology Consultant
The Ecology Consultancy
Consultation
Soundings
Principle Designer (pre construction)
Leslie Clark
Quantity Surveyor
Robinson Low Francis
Surveyor
ARA & Plowman Craven
Legal
Writer/Copy Editor
Carrie-Bond French
Aboriculturist
Barrell Tree
Main Contractor
FM Conway
Soft Landscape Contractor
Continental Landscapes
Tree Surgeon
Gristwood & Toms
Trees
Street Tree Ltd
Listed by
Last updated on
27/06/2024
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