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Reconnecting with the River Thames
Calila Ponte
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Reconnecting With the River Thames Calila Ribeiro da Ponte k1557060 Studio 10
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Fig.1 Waterways and flood map, Thames Basin - Unit Manual
Table of Contents
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Exploring the Thames and its History: The Frost Fairs Researching Towards the Project: London’s natural signatures % Health Population by Borough % Of Homes with Poor Access to Nature London’s Walking Map Thames Riverside Spaces Researching Towards the Project: Derive Methodology www Derive I Thames River Section Derive II Urban Voids Study Sections Identified Typologies Design Process Context and Location Dominant Land Use Pedestrian Movement Local Networks Biodiversity Flows Impermeable Spaces Identified Edges Phasing Plan Existing Intervention Sites Proposed Programs of Use Masterplan Existent and Proposed Trees Proposed Srubs and Herbaceous Proposed Pavements Birds Eye View Existent/Proposed Visuals Pavement Details Trees in Soft Landscape Detail Paris Field-trip Learning Contributions Note: All Photos by Calila Ponte
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Abstract The River Thames is the heart of London, through the eras it has been a fulcrum element in the urbe. Its functions are immeasurable, from a means of transport to a defensive barrier, not forgetting the water cycle regulation functions and a source of aliment for fauna. The river it’s the identity of London, it would never be such a metropolis without the presence of this great tidal river. This challenging project led to the aim of understanding the river from a pedestrian point of view. Having the river such an expansive realm the historical points approach are deeply related with the project progression itself.
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The first decision maker was to study an area were the crossing of the river was made by foot. The millennium bridge was the catalyst to this analysis. The initial objective was to find answers to the following questions: How can design lead to more social cohesive spaces? How can we add ecological value to cities? The privileged means of interpreting and perceiving the landscape was the ‘Derive’ as an exploratory tool followed by video registers, annotations, drawings, photos. Through this project a spontaneous flow was a constant in order to discover a sector of the city that had the characteristics to answer the proposed design questions. This document intends to illustrate this learning process.
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Exploring the Thames and its History: The Frost Fairs Frost Fairs occurred possibly three times in a century when the river froze solid enough to support them from 1564 to 1831. The fairs were exchange and commercial spaces but also a magical and spectacular show in addition the rarity of these events made these Frozen Festivals be so special. “There were puppet shows, horse races, bear and bull baiting, even a fox let loose to be chased by hounds and hunters…” 1 Even though very appreciated this events were a focus of criticism from the more puritans and conservationists: “Roger Morrice write in his diary in early February, “All manner of debauchery upon the Thames continued upon the Lord’s Day …” 2
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“Moreover Frost Fairs were a microcosm of English Society to a certain period of time not only portraying the reflex of society but also questioning it., “ …in part simply because all classes were present in a restricted space during a short period of time, in part because they reveal if only for an instant the nature of relations between those classes.” 3 They ended when the old London Bridge was pulled down in 1831 and due to structural( the timber casings designed to protect the piers were extended over the years creating this fierce torrents that would break the ice blocks) reasons the river was no longer able to freeze.
1,2,3 - The Thames England’s River, Schneer, Jonathan.
“ There is such whimsies on the frozen ice, make some believe the Thames a Paridice…” Corbet, Blanket;Fair
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Fig.2 Source: Museum of London
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Fig.3 A frost fair on the River Thames Illustration by Thomas Wyke
Researching Towards the Project: London’s natural signatures Brief analysis of GLA natural signatures and how they relate to the potential intervention site. The aim is to understand the Landscape value of the space in study and explore its connections and interactions within a broader scale. Landscape must always be perceived as a complex and dynamic system which integrates several dimensions namely: the ecological concerning the physical and biologic sectors of ecosystems, the cultural addressing historical meaning, the socio economic relative to human activity that permanently interacts and changes the landscape and the sensorial connected with the way landscapes are perceived. This interaction allows the growth of the identity and narrative capacity of a landscape.
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Fig.4 Studio 10 Collective Thames Basin Model
Ecological and Landscape Zones Plan derived from All London Green Grid, scale:na
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Green Grid Areas Plan derived from All London Green Grid, scale:na
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Framework Plan Plan derived from All London Green Grid, scale:na
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Healthy Communities Plan derived from GiGL data 2011© Crown Copyright; Scale:na
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% Health Population by Borough Plan derived from National Statistics Census data 2011Š Crown Copyright; Scale:na
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Relationship between Green Spaces and % of Healthy Population Scale:na
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% Of Homes with Poor Access to Nature Plan derived from LondonMapper, 2012, Scale:na
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London’s Walking Map Plan derived from AlanBaxter LNS and TFL Walk London, Scale: na
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Thames Riverside Spaces Plan derived from All London Green Grid, scale: na
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Researching Towards the Project: Derive Methodology Driven by the interest of designing spaces for people the Derive was a major component of the analysis of this project. Influences such as the situations movement and the act of dwelling by Tim Ingold were determinant when identifying a test bed site and perceiving the space in study. Walking as an intentional movement and psychogeography as a perceptive tool toward a more site specific intentional design. Derive is an act that not only aims to defining the unconscious zones of the city, but also with the help of psychogeography attempts to investigate the psycho effects of the urban context on the individual.
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“The Derive entails playful – constructive behaviour and an awareness of psychogeographical effects; which completely distinguishes it from the classical notions of the journey and the stroll (p.98).”4 Derive methodology used by the author: Roughly decide a boundary to explore in this specific case the Borough of Southwark Take film material and walk. Stop when something stands out in our own perception of space and register it. Draft conclusions that lead to a better intervention on the urban space through direct observation of patterns, reactions and behaviours.
4 - Careri Francesco, Land & Scape series, Walking as an aesthetic practice, Barcelona (2002)
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Derive I Videos Link: https://vimeo.com/163396875 https://vimeo.com/163396874
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Authors derive
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Thames River Section St Paul’s Cathedral to Tate Modern, scale:na
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Derive II Videos Link: https://vimeo.com/169263541 https://vimeo.com/169263542
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Authors derive
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Urban Voids Scale:na
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Identified void spaces Potential intervention areas
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Study Sections Scale:na
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Identified Typologies Scale: na
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Design Process Bermondsey located in the borough of Southwark (South East London) is an urban tissue in current metamorphosis. Gentrification is installing itself at a medium high pace, nevertheless the richness and variety of the neighbourhood is enormous. The Thames Tideway Tunnel site at Chambers ST (it will be a sub-station) is a potential riverside Landscape that must be protected from privatization and housing speculation. This project intends to identify several spaces in this area that are being used bellow their full potential and increase their value.
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Stitching these urban voids allows the creation of a linear park from the river Thames to the heart of Bermondsey. The main concept is to increase permeability and enhance biodiversity, creating multi-purpose and multifunctional spaces, full of sensorial experiences; spaces for people.
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Context and Location Scale: na
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Map derived from land registry index
Tree canopies( proximi tree) Parks and open spaces Test bed Site
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Map derived from land registry index
Conservation areas Woodland TPO zones Test bed Site
Dominant Land Use Scale: na
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1 - Brownfield Site - Future sub/station for
Building Area Pavement Green Areas Private Green Areas Services Existing Trees Light Industrial and storage
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Pedestrian Movement
Local Networks
Scale: na
Scale: na
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Biodiversity Flows
Impermeable Spaces
Scale: na
Scale: na
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Identified Edges Scale: na
River Edge
Road Edge 46
Natural Edge
Edges: the line along which two or more surfaces meet where the characteristics of
each overlay performing changes, interacting, sharing the specificities and increasing richness and variety.
Rail
Edge
Phasing Plan Scale: na
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Phase I Total area: 3.7 ha Phase II Total area: 0.8 ha
Existing Intervention Sites Scale: na
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Existing Sections Section AB
Section CD
Section EF
Section GH
Section IJ
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Design Process: Concept Osmosis ‘The process in plants and animals by which a liquid moves gradually from one part of the body or the plant to another through a membrane‘5 Edge seen as a rich condition, where two or more realities reach each other; a space where the intensity of interchange is high. Design Drivers • • • •
Permeability Connectivity Biodiversity Enhancement Spaces for People
52 Design Goals Create a connection with the river by constructing different situations and ambiances for people Preserve the existing trees Enhance the biodiversity by adding a panoply of vegetation and inducing the emergency of new habitats for wildlife Increase the level of permeability and water absorption
5 - Cambridge dictionary
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SWOT Analysis Strengths
Great location next to the river Thames Part of the London Docklands history
Threats
Diverse and interesting: . mixed development . services . community structures open spaces . green spaces . small industry settlements
. Manage traffic, vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles . Lack of urban play and interaction spaces . Drainage solutions
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. Thames tideway tunnel site, Chambers Wharf . Enhance cultural and natural flows
. Manage traffic, vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles . Lack of urban play and interaction spaces . Drainage solutions
Opportunities Connecting the urban fabric with the River Link the existing edges in effective ways, physically and visually Create more permeability between and inside the edges. Making space for the river and create more permeable and biodiverse spaces The identified edges and points where they naturally merge: . River Neckinger . Existing open spaces
Proposed Programs of Use Scale: na
Interaction with water Resting amenity areas Water retention Urban play Promenade Biodiversity enhancement Multi-purpose area, public activities Main Sensorial experience: Waterscape
Outdoors exercise Resting amenity areas Urban play Promenade Multi-purpose area, public activities Biodiversity enhancement Main Sensorial experience: Play
Resting amenity areas Urban play Promenade Biodiversity enhancement Main Sensorial experience: Colour
Resting amenity areas Multi-purpose area, public activities
Interaction with water Resting amenity areas Urban play Biodiversity enhancement Main Sensorial experience: smell Interaction with water Resting amenity areas Food and drink Production Main Sensorial experience: taste
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Design Evolution
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Design Evolution
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Design Evolution
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Design Evolution
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Design Evolution
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Design Evolution
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Masterplan Scale: na
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Master Plan
Existent and Proposed Trees
Scale: na
Scale: na
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Proposed Srubs and Herbaceous
Proposed Pavements
Scale: na
Scale: na
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Birds Eye View Existent
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Birds Eye View Proposed
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Pavement Details Scale: na
P1 78
P2
P3
P1
Asphalt Sub-base granular material Sub-grade shaped and compacted Compacted ground
Precast concrete edging bull nosed Wildflower turf Topsoil Subsoil Concrete base and surround
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P2
Cedec footpath gravel Coarse sand compacted
Border guard Steel
Compacted ground
Steel Profile ( Planter) Wildflower turf Topsoil Subsoil
P3
Hardcore Precast concrete edging Dowels at 900 centres
Weldmesh Insitu concrete steps
Wildflower turf Topsoil Subsoil Insitu concrete
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10mm expansion joints at 6m centres formed through the full depth of the slab, filled with approved mastic filler Insitu Concrete sandblasted finish Sub base granular material
Trees in Soft Landscape Detail Scale: na
Rubber tree tie with adjustable rubber strap Note: Tree stakes to be used for tree that are under 20-25 cmg. Any tree that is 20-25cmg, underground guying system to be used, (alternatively a three stake system)
Key Plan (for reference only)
Proposed tree
Softwood cross member
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Softwood stakes driven into ground Wildflower Turf Root barrier to be applied where required near services, to be approved on site or prior to installation. 300mm approved topsoil Subsoil Horticultural grade sand to support rootball.(optional subject to ground condition) GreenTech 'Mona Relief' irrigation system with PE perforated pipe, double inlet for primary irrigation/ aeration with end cap.
Paris Field-trip Rivers are generators of cities, having the opportunity to explore another river centred urban context was an enriching experience. Walking along the banks of “Le Seine” recording several drainage solutions, landscapes, feelings, and perceptions was an important input into our learning process. From Montmartre in the 18th arrondisement to Parc de la Vilette, Canal St. Martin and Place de la Republique we tried to ‘soak up’ all the atmosphere and sights the city has to offer. We visit the exhibition “RéInventer Paris” at Pavillion de L’Arsenal which gives us a chronological sense of the evolution of Paris and a global knowledge of the city.
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We had the great privilege of visiting the Parc de Billancourt and Île Seguin as well as a private visit to Ecole nationale supérieure de paysage Versailles (ENSP-V) guided by Karin Helms. This type of enriching trip is a very important component of our development as landscape architects and designers allowing us to learn through experience, observation and to broaden our horizons in order to make propositions that are aspirational and resilient for the landscape.
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Riverscapes
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Riverscapes
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Drainage Solutions
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Drainage Solutions
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Learning Contributions During this academic year the learning process was amplified through several external influences that were important to enhance the design process. Conferences, lectures, exhibitions, studio visits and workshops are a great way to keep the creative juices flowing and increase productivity.
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Fig.3 Vertical project authors’ sketch
Fig.4 Vertical project
Fig.5 Thames boat trip
Fig.6 Thursley common
Fig.5 ARUP Cities Alive Workshop
Fig.6 ARUP Cities Alive Workshop
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Fig.7 Ai Weiwei exhibition, photo by Dimitris Groz
Fig.8 Hurst Castle
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Fig.9 Bordeaux Trip
Fig.11 Deptford Creek low tide walks, picture source: creek side centre
Fig.10 Lisbon Trip, Tidal Tagus River
Fig.12 Wild Re-naturing the city