In the South of the Olympic Park, Arup’s landscape architects and engineers led the transformation of a 2.5km² derelict brownfield site into a breath-taking setting for the London 2012 Games.

In the South of the Olympic Park, Arup’s landscape architects and engineers led the transformation of a 2.5km² derelict brownfield site into a breath-taking setting for the London 2012 Games. Working with the client’s lead designers (LDA Hargreaves), planners and contractors, we were responsible for the detailed design and coordination of the landscape and public realm.

This complex project required a high degree of planning and project management. The site was geographically challenging, requiring significant ground-level changes. Our design work covered the complex boundaries between the landscape and the Games venues, bridges and other utilities. We experimented with different ground levels and topography to deliver a welcoming and accessible park.

Arup's sustainability specialists collaborated with the landscape team to identify opportunities to embed sustainability in the design, specification, and construction. In doing so, the project pioneered major sustainability gains. The installation of a soil-washing plant, for example, made it possible to wash 30,000 tonnes of site material for reuse in the works. In total, 90% of demolition material was reused in the landscape and public realm. The design accounted for 2,700 tonnes of waste material - with recycled aggregate used in walls and concrete mixed using 40% pulverised fuel ash (PVA) from power stations. The timber used was FSC approved, and clay pipes were chosen due to lower embodied energy.

Our work was recognised with design and sustainability awards including the 2012 CEEQUAL ‘Excellent Whole Project Award (95.8%)’ and Landscape Institute’s ‘President’s Award’ for the ‘Best Landscape Architecture’ scheme of the year. Today, the legacy has turned it into one of the largest new urban parks in Europe for over 150 years. Arup’s involvement with the park and LLDC is ongoing. It contributes to local biodiversity action plans and a world-leading testbed for innovative solutions like sustainable public mobility systems.

“The south of the London Olympic Park is a complex area of venues and infrastructure. We were able to translate the design intent into engineering specifications that fulfilled the architect’s vision. As well as concourses leading to the venues and paved areas for people to gather, this part of the park includes the widely praised 2012 Gardens. Our in-depth knowledge, and ‘one team’ approach provided a complete service, taking the park from design intent through planning, construction and specification stages to successful implementation of this large transformative project for East London and communities across the UK.”

Penny Hall, Design Manager of the Parklands and Public Realm (South Park) for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.