A reimagined listed building, now the heart of the King’s Riverside.
Q – What did Farrells see as the opportunity for this riverside site, which no-one has had access to for some 550 years?
MS – It is one of the most interesting sites on the River Thames; with its surrounding wall, it’s been a secret and hidden place for centuries. But we were most struck by two things. First, its location on the bend of the river delivers stunning views both east and west. Secondly, the working pontoon. It provides a wonderful opportunity to create the first public park on the River Thames itself.
King’s Riverside was Henry VIII’s boatyard, so is absolutely redolent with heritage, extraordinary history and archaeology. So, we wanted the masterplan to reflect that, re-engage with Deptford, and open up 500 metres of river frontage that had been largely closed for over 500 years.
Q – To what extent has the history and the King’s Yard informed your approach?
MS – The very concept of the masterplan is based upon the history of the site. The footprints of park gardens and public spaces reflect the archeology below and we also really chose a palette of materials, colours and tones that we could see on the site itself. Equally, following archeological excavations, we wanted to retain any visible heritage such as the Olympia Building, the surrounding wall, the Master Shipwright’s house, and the river wall.
Q – King’s Riverside is a significant part of Deptford and will become a part of the local area. Is one of the challenges delivering a vibrant and integrated community?
MS – The masterplan consciously connects with Deptford High Street. Deptford is already culturally and artistically engaging, with a number of
important institutions such as the Laban Centre, Goldsmiths, Second Floor, and The Albany Theatre. Then there is also the relationship with the river itself and the new public park on the Thames. Our ambition is to add and augment.
There will be cafés and gardens, shops and restaurants; there will be all levels of housing as well as affordable offices and workspace. It is also providing some 2,000 jobs. King’s Riverside is more about local businesses, trailblazers and entrepreneurs, creating the environment to explore new opportunities, and being the incubator for tomorrow’s businesses.
Q – The site is also inextricably linked to John Evelyn and his legacy of horticulture. Has Evelyn been an influence on you?
MS – Yes, he has. It’s a great shame the archaeological dig couldn’t find his original garden. The teaching of Evelyn was important, and I think we’ve used the idea of his sustainability and ecological thinking to enhance the master plan. The use of trees, of different seasonal landscape and the impact of the river garden is important. There is a concept of green and blue fingers. So, the river and the water elements consciously meet with the green influences around the Olympia Square.
Q – The public space is critical to creating a sense of place, a sense of pride and ownership. Is Olympia Square the beating heart?
MS – Yes and no. You could say that the heart of King’s Riverside is the Olympia Building, although, we tried to give each area a character in its own right. So, if you enter from King’s Street to reach the river, you’re going to pass through the double dry dock turned into a small public garden, and that will have a café or restaurant and a playground. So, we have enlivened spaces through their surrounding use. There is the extensive river front itself and of course, the floating garden park. So, there are a multitude of key spaces, with new green spaces and extensions to existing. Many of these link to Olympia Square itself which will probably become the primary rendezvous. So, it’s a mixture. There isn’t one big statement, it’s lots of small opportunities around a street pattern that allows you to permeate through King’s Riverside without restriction.
There will be cafés and
gardens, shops
and restaurants; there will
be all levels of
housing as well as affordable
offices and workspace.
Q – The Belvedere is built around a traditional garden square. It provides two engaging aspects either inward or outward-looking.
MS – That is a really interesting question. I think, within the master plan, we had always allowed the southern side of that square to let the sun into the space and thus provide a genuinely well-lit garden space. Consequently, the apartments have multiple aspects, from those overlooking the busy, people watching Olympia Square, those with views across surrounding streets or to the river and those that have the more tranquil view into the garden itself. Something for everyone as it were!
Q – How have you approached sustainability and wellness within King’s Riverside?
MS – We have a view of sustainability which goes beyond the technical requirements for conserving heat and reducing carbon. Whilst all the buildings will meet expected standards, we also see it as being about means of transport, ease of use, what is now called the 15 minute city. How people are able to use or access their essential requirements in proximity rather than have to travel longer distances. And yes, there will be wellness, because there will be an environment in which people can benefit from being outside in what should be a reasonably traffic-free neighbourhood. We are centered on pedestrianization and cyclists, alongside a sense of open space, of greenness and of trees, shade and sunlight.
Q – You have brought a sense of water into the site where all the cafes and restaurants are.
MS – Next to the Olympia Building, there was a large dock that linked to the river, in which they floated the built boats or brought them in for repair. We’ve exposed the dock walls and are creating what we call the silent pool. It is just a thin body of water surrounded by cafés, restaurants, an hotel, shops, views to the river and the Olympia Building.
Q – How has the height and orientation of buildings been informed by the water and the views?
MS – What surrounds King’s Riverside is generally fairly low and we wanted to respect that. So, we felt that the centre of the site gave us an opportunity for something tall that would be a statement. It also provides a focus for those arriving by boat.
However, we felt that one tower is odd, and we should create a cluster of three. The buildings at the edge are lower, and then the buildings between are actually associated more with the scale of the spaces around them. So, we adjusted heights to suit the size of space that they are facing.
Q – What do you hope the experience will be as people arrive at King’s Riverside by river taxi?
MS – It will be a lively riverfront focused on its unique garden in the Thames. However, it is so much more. People will be using the parks and the open spaces, jogging, cycling, pushing buggies around, having coffee, sitting talking or shopping, it will be an amazing new part of Deptford and a new part of London. It is always a challenge for people to see a new neighbourhood become alive, become real.
It will be a lively
riverfront focused
on its unique
garden in the Thames.
