Hi guys, I really
love all of your ideas – it seems that everyone is generally thinking in the
same direction anyway – lots of overlaps.
Simon, I love all
of your ideas and want to incorporate these into the design in its entirety.
I think make it a
specialized area – which blurs the private/public division – which is key to
produce a beneficial environment. Focuses on bioengineering and innovative
green engineering/resources – the more cutting edge the better.
I would like to
create a metronised boat system – use of fuel cells for buses – applied to
boats – a new green energy transport system – focusing on the under used thames
– perhaps it works under water – through glass tunnels – you can see the Thames
– improve the biodiversity of the thames – create a much more naturalized
thames – with reeds and naturalized planting – that help to remove the
impurities and pollutants.
Rain gardens to
act as SUDS – alter the curvature of the land in places a la Charles Jencks:
Topographically
artistic – but not skimping on biodiversity – use of wildflower meadows and
self-sustaining planting – that requires little to no maintenance – native
plants – soil is clay so fertile, and therefore opportunity for lots of
different types of native plants.
Green roofs – but
green forests instead – large scale planting – sky forests.
With walkways
that extend above and beyond the area – bringing a new level – over these
raised parks and forests.
Will work as
SUDS.
Islands cutting
into the thames running off the sunken walkways – allowing for isolation for
birds to nest. Creative play of
earthworks – geometrical informed
by harsh geometry and axial framework of matisse paintings.
Slow down the run
of water -
Soften the
landscape – but also a more innovative use of planting – so that landscape
isn’t synonymous with trying to recreate the countryside in the city – create a
literal urban jungle/forest.
Retaining walls –
using soil to create abstract walkways and monuments cutting through the site –
large scale features.
Fuse industry
with art/ land art – encourage creativity alongside greening – provide an
inspiring and cutting edge area – on a scale not seen in London – be
adventurous.
Love the idea of
using a matisse painting or similar abstract assortment of shapes – to create a
concept diagram, and an underlying grid – on which to help guide the design.
I like the seasonal
interest of central park – the autumnal colours – selection of trees with
seasonal interest – reds, auburns, rusty colours – planting incorporating
yellows – reflecting the warmth of existing materials that predominate, and
also compliments the greys and drabness. A warm planting scheme.
