Ruskin Square Theatre Garden

RUSKIN THEATRE GARDEN SUMMER 2012

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RUSKIN THEATRE GARDEN

SUMMER 2012

CONTENTS Introduction A found landscape The Rehearsal A Botanical treasury Construction and discovery Chelsea Fringe Unfinished Dream Flowering garden and completion Youth cricket Lunch club

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Above: Three Ruskinian Principles for Ruskin Square - muf’s grounding design principles for the site muf architecture/art LLP

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INTRODUCTION In the context of the large-scale development of Ruskin Square and the wider East Croydon regeneration area, the Ruskin Theatre Garden focuses on revealing and augmenting the existing ‘as found’ qualities of the site. The wild landscape of the derelict site is in the foreground as viewed from East Croydon rail station and platforms, and is naturally positioned to take on a role as Croydon’s front garden.

The additions and adjustments to the site continue a process of natural ecological succession - as different species shift from pioneering colonisation to established growth and find a rich yet ephemeral balance on a previously barren and rubble-filled new formed habitat.

The selective built intervention enhances and augments the character of different parts of the site, providing a way of navigating and interacting with the landscape and interim uses on the site. Additionally the scale of the constructed pieces increases the visibility of the site from its surroundings and raises the possibilities of the future development.

A choreographed programme of activities and events activates the garden over its first summer, which again ‘ghosts’ the potential future uses within the permanent development.

Ruskin Theatre Garden acts directly as an onsite testing ground for both the built and active components of occupation of the permanent Ruskin Square development, and as a way of growing a habitude of use on the site in order to underpin the future public realm. This document seeks to record and reflect on the life of the garden as it develops, and to provide a source for the refinement of the detailed design.

Above: The Choreographed Occupation of Ruskin Square Over Time muf architecture/art LLP

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View of site from East Croydon station west entrance, October 2010 muf architecture/art LLP

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A FOUND LANDSCAPE Recognising and valuing the existing qualities within the site are the first steps in growing the garden.

Plants have naturally differentiated themselves as they colonise areas that present varying habitats and conditions, creating a patchwork of ecosystems on a raw demolition and artificially covered and divided site. These natural successors in combination with the textures and materials left over from previous structures, create the overlooked character of place.

Top: Cleared site with little opportunistic plant growth Above: View from AMP House, October 2010

Clockwise from top left: doorway to the garden; terrazzo rockery; raised grassy meadow in west of site; large concrete slab; muf architecture/art LLP

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Above left: wildflower meadow | Above right: Natural processes combine with man-made textures muf architecture/art LLP

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Above: macro-scale observations reveal a wealth of variety muf architecture/art LLP

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THE REHEARSAL Before construction begins, the first step in occupying and animating the site - a rehearsal for the future - is to bring the cast of a play “The Girls” to take a Rehearsal in the literal sense.

It is an act that says: watch this space.

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RUSKIN SQUARE, CROYDON: PLANT LIST

GERANIACEAE (Crane’s-bill Family)

South London Botanical Institute,

Geranium robertianum,

Herb Robert.

Surveyed by Sue Amos, Cath Pearson & Roy Vickery, 31 March 2012.

Geranium rotundifolium,

Round-leaved crane’s-bill

DENNSTAEDTIACEAE (Bracken Family) Pteridium aquilinum,

Epilobium spp.,

Willowherb species/hybrids.

Oenothera biennis,

Common evening-primrose.

Bracken.

SAPINDACEAE (Maple Family)

BERBERIDACEAE (Barberry Family) Mahonia aquifolium,

Oregon grape.

Aquilegia vulgaris,

Columbine.

Clematis vitalba,

Traveller’s-joy.

Ranunculus repens,

Creeping buttercup.

SAXIFRAGACEAE (Saxifrage Family) Saxifraga tridactylites,

Rue-leaved saxifrage.

VITACEAE (Grape vine Family) Parthenocissus vitacea, sp.,

Acer pseudoplatanus,

Sycamore.

Aesculus hippocastanum,

Horse-chestnut.

MALVACEAE (Mallow Family)

RANUNCULACEAE (Buttercup Family)

a Virginia creeper.

Malva sylvestris,

Butterfly bush.

PLANTAGINACEAE (Plantain Family) Plantago lanceolata,

Ribwort plantain.

Plantago major,

Greater plantain.

LAMIACEAE (Deadnettle Family) Ballota nigra,

Black horehound.

Lamium purpureum,

Red deadnettle.

Common mallow.

ASTERACEAE (Daisy Family) Artemisia vulgaris,

Mugwort.

Alliaria petiolata,

Garlic mustard.

Aster sp.,

a Michaelmas daisy.

Arabidopsis thaliana,

Thale cress

Bellis perennis,

Daisy.

Capsella bursa-pastoris,

Shepherd’s-purse.

Cirsium arvense,

Creeping thistle.

Cardamine hirsuta,

Hairy bitter-cress.

Cirsium vulgare,

Spear thistle.

Diplotaxis tenuifolia,

Perennial wall-rocket.

Conyza sp.,

a fleabane.

Erophila verna,

Common whitlow grass.

Helminthotheca echioides (former. Picris echioides),

Bristly oxtongue.

Hypochaeris sp.,

a cat’s-ear.

Leucanthemum vulgare,

Oxeye daisy.

Senecio jacobaea,

Common ragwort.

Senecio squalidus,

Oxford ragwort.

Senecio vulgaris,

Groundsel.

BRASSICACEAE (Cabbage Family)

POLYGONACEAE (Knotweed Family)

FABACEAE (Pea Family)

Common field speedwell.

Buddleja davidii,

ONAGRACEAE (Willowherb Family) Common name

Ivy-leaved speedwell.

Veronica persica, SCROPHULARIACEAE (Figwort Family)

Nomenclature after Clive Stace, New Flora of the British Isles, ed. 3, C.U.P. (2010).

Species

Veronica hederifolia,

Rumex obtusifolius,

Broad-leaved dock

Medicago lupulina,

Black medick.

Melilotus sp.,

a melilot.

Trifolium dubium,

Lesser trefoil.

CARYOPHYLLACEAE (Pink Family)

Trifolium pratense,

Red clover.

Cerastium sp.,

a mouse-ear, June 2011.

Sonchus sp.,

a sow-thistle.

Trifolium repens,

White clover.

Stellaria media,

Common chickweed.

Taraxacum officinale agg.,

Dandelion.

Vicia sp.,

a vetch.

Tussilago farfara,

Colt’s-foot.

CORNACEAE (Dogwood Family) Cornus sanguinea,

ROSACEAE (Rose Family)

Dogwood.

Wood avens.

Prunus avium,

Wild cherry.

RUBIACEAE (Bedstraw Family)

Rubus fruticosus agg.,

Bramble.

Galium aparine,

Cleavers / goosegrass

APOCYNACEAE (Periwinkle Family)

URTICACEAE (Nettle Family) Parietaria judaica,

Pellitory of the wall.

Urtica dioica,

Common nettle.

Vinca major,

Betula pendula,

garden grape-hyacinth,

Carex pendula,

Pendulous sedge.

a bindweed POACEAE (Grass Family)

Euphorbia helioscopia,

Sun spurge.

Euphorbia peplus,

Petty spurge.

SOLANACEAE (Nightshade Family)

Mercurialis annua,

Annual mercury.

Solanum dulcamara,

Bittersweet.

OLEACEAE (Ash Family) Fraxinus excelsior,

Ash.

VERONICACEAE (Speedwell Family)

HYPERICACEAE (St John’s wort Family)

Wild carrot.

CYPERACEAE (Sedge Family) Calystegia sp.,

Goat willow.

Wild parsnip

Daucus carota,

Muscari armeniacum,

CONVULVULACEAE (Bindweed Family)

Salix caprea,

Pastinaca sativa

Green alkanet.

Silver birch.

SALICACEAE (Willow Family)

APIACEAE (Carrot Family)

ASPARAGACEAE (Asparagus Family) Pentaglottis sempervirens,

EUPHORBIACEAE (Spurge Family)

Ivy.

Greater periwinkle.

BORAGINACEAE (Borage Family) BETULACEAE (Birch Family)

ARALIACEAE (Ivy Family) Hedera helix,

Geum urbanum,

Agrostis sp.,

a bent.

Anisantha sterilis,

Barren brome.

Arrhenatherum elatius,

False oat-grass.

Cortaderia selloana,

Pampas grass.

Dactylis glomerata,

Cock’s foot.

Deschampsia cespitosa,

Tufted hair-grass.

Holcus lanatus,

Yorkshire fog

Hypericum calycinum,

Rose-of-sharon.

Antirrhinum majus,

Snapdragon.

Lolium perenne,

Perennial rye-grass.

Hypericum perforatum,

Perforate St John’s wort.

Digitalis purpurea,

Foxglove.

Poa annua,

Annual meadow-grass.

Linaria purpurea,

Purple toadflax.

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A BOTANICAL TREASURY The South London Botanical Institute carried out an extensive survey of plant species found on site, and a detailed mapping of two proposed “pocket gardens” within the design.

Opposite page: Botanical survey species list, 31 March 2012 Above: species mapping of ‘pockets’ | Above right: botanists in the field muf architecture/art LLP

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What we see here is more than just a patch of weeds. There is a wide variety of wildflower species, and even the ones we usually describe as ‘weeds’ are often more than just successful colonisers of empty space. The common nettle (Urtica dioica) is a good place to start. Not a popular plant, but it is an important food source for the larvae of several species of butterfly; it is also very nutritious, with nettle soup a traditional spring dish in many parts of Europe, and now sometimes appearing on the menus of smart restaurants. Nettle is also very fibrous, and makes good paper, and can even be used to weave fabric. One day we might even be wearing clothes made from nettle fibre.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) colonises ground through its seeds, but has a mean trick – it produces a gas which stimulates the premature ageing of other plants’ flowers, so inhibiting their reproduction, leaving space for more dandelions! Like nettle it is nutritious and has long been a popular salad vegetable in France.

Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is little use beyond its flower heads on their long tough stalks being a substitute for conkers in traditional country children’s games. Gardeners proud of their lawns regard it as a weed. As they do with white clover (Trifolium repens) although perhaps they should be a bit more positive with clover, which, being a member of the pea family, can perform the trick of putting nitrogen into the ground, and so helping enrich the soil. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is also often found as a weed in lawns, and has even been used as a drought-tolerant lawn substitute in the US; it has uses in herbal medicine, while the Chinese method of divination, the I Ching, uses yarrow stalks in the way we would use dice.

A weed with no redeeming features is creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) which is the curse of farmers up and down the country, as it spreads aggressively in pasture, as no animal will eat it. Overgrazing can result in whole fields being taken over. Its seeds are usually sterile, but it spreads through deep underground runners. Chickweed (Stellaria media) is only a minor problem for vegetable growers, and as we might guess from its name, was once made use of for feeding chickens; it is quite nice in salads too.

Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is the ancestor of the cultivated parsnip, and unlike the wild carrot, which bears little resemblance to our familiar orange root, wild parsnip roots look not unlike what we might buy in the supermarket – just thinner. It (and the carrot) live for two years, storing nutrients in their roots in the first year, and sending up a tall stem topped with flowers in their second – then seeding and dying.

Common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is another ‘biennial’, with a two-year lifespan. From its seeds is extracted evening-primrose oil, as used in complementary medicine. Also used in herbal medicine is perforate St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), which flowers around the time of St. John’s Day (24th June), and is familiar to us as the source of a herbal anti-depressant.

Left: sketch identifying ecological character of site Above: text on selected plant species found on site, by Noel Kingsbury Above right: concept proposal for adjustment of existing site ecology muf architecture/art LLP

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Above: selective site clearance Opposite from left: onlookers from the station’s west exit, daisy covered mound and flowering creepers on rubble rockery, hoarding clearance muf architecture/art LLP

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CONSTRUCTION AND DISCOVERY Beginning with a selective site clearance, work begins in earnest in mid-May. Activity on the ground arouses immediate interest and curiousity from onlookers by the station exit and platform ramps. Construction is to be a spectated process: part-performance, partdiscovery.

As more of the site is uncovered, decisions are made on which elements to retain, and the character of different areas becomes more evident as the wild plants flourish in summer and disturbed ground.

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The cricket practice nets necessitated new concrete slabs to provide and even surface for the lanes. These are the most major pieces of construction and break away from a process of observing the site to intervening with new built elements. The path inscribes a formal geometry of movement in the garden, with the shallow excavation material being used to create new planting mounds.

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CHELSEA FRINGE On the 9th and 10th of June the Ruskin Theatre Garden opened to the public, mid-construction, as part of the Chelsea Fringe.

An informal series of guided walks - by architects, botanists and artists - provided a way for visitors to interpret the garden in its semi-wild semi-built state, with a particular focus on drawing and a close-up exploration of plant life in homage to Ruskin.

Printed material acted as souvenir and information prompt, and as a partial documentation of the South London Botanical Institute’s site investigations.

Opposite page: double-sided map and species information leaflet Above: promotional banner for the open weekend muf architecture/art LLP

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Opposite page and above: Set of souvenir postcards Above right: guided botanical and folklore walks muf architecture/art LLP

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Opposite page: occupying new concrete slabs Above: botanical drawing workshop muf architecture/art LLP

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UNFINISHED DREAM In the evening of Saturday 10th June, physical theatre performers from Unfinished Dream, lead by Iranian director Hamid Poorazari, performed a unique piece inside the garden, with incidental and planned spectators looking on from vantage points just outside the site.

Unfinished Dream was commissioned by the London International Festival of Theatre, and the project was in residence at Croydon Clocktower in the preparation for a 10-day run of performances at the Barclay Road car-park in late June. The site-specific work at Ruskin Theatre Garden was created following a series of site visits by the performers beginning in May.

Above left: an incidental audience overlooks the performance Above: performers activate the Theatre Garden muf architecture/art LLP

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Opposite: plan of garden and view from AMP House This page: view from outside East Croydon station West entrance muf architecture/art LLP

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FLOWERING GARDEN AND COMPLETION The finished garden is seen both from above as a drawn plan, and as a collection of forms providing datums with which to read the undulating ground and the perception of changing levels of viewing.

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As the finer construction in metalwork, netting and rope drew lines and gauzy forms hovering across the surface of the site, the summer flowers came into bloom. A variety of textures formed a meadowlike foil to the creation of precise white lines, with fleeting flambuoyant moments of colour. Throughout construction, the residents of the garden were familiar companions, with bees and beetles joining familiar urban birds.

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Opposite and this page: residents of the garden muf architecture/art LLP

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YOUTH CRICKET The Refugee Cricket Project is a partnership between Cricket for Change and the Children’s Section of the Refugee Council. It provides a safe and supportive environment for young refugees, many of whom live in the Croydon area, to meet on a regular basis and enjoy cricket. Some of these budding cricketers go on to play at local and county club level, and others become trained as sports coaches with Cricket for Change.

They played the inaugural session on the nets in the garden, and will be using them on a regular basis.

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Above: London Borough of Croydon council enjoy cricket at lunchtime muf architecture/art LLP

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LUNCH CLUB muf are facilitating a weekly lunch club in the garden, aimed primarily at local office workers, and providing a sociable place to come and enjoy a break in the garden, somewhere quiet to read a book, throw a ball or sit at a table and share a piece of cake.

The Lunch Club has also become a place where local people who are actively interested in Croydon and its development and opportunities are coming to discuss ideas. Performance artists, coffee-makers and tour guides have all dropped by to share their thoughts.

In a foregrounding of the future development, the garden acts as a break-out space for the surrounding corporate and commercial workplaces, and can accommodate a range of activities.

The setting out, occuppying and tidying away of a large dining table in the garden “room� is also a weekly performance as seen from East Croydon station.

Above: tea and cake in the garden muf architecture/art LLP

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SUCCESSIONAL PLANTING

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