Final designs for the ambitious new Crossrail Station at Canary Wharf have been emerging for a while now, and they now include the addition of a lush roof garden, which opened to the general public over the bank holiday weekend. The garden is a unique idea described as being on a similar scale to London's famous Kensington Roof Gardens, which is based on the area's heritage as a trading hub. The garden serves to draw further attention to the Crossrail service, which is the largest of its kind in Europe. It's set to open in 2018 and will connect London from east to west, with nine new stations and 42 kilometres of new tunnels underneath the city.
A lush roof garden opened to the general public over the bank holiday weekend at the new Canary Wharf Crossrail Station
“Crossrail Place” was designed by the London-based architectural firm Foster + Partners, and is a building inspired by the slick metals and modern trappings that made up the bulk of the structures commissioned for London's last massive infrastructure project; the 2012 Olympic Games. The roof garden, however, stands in stark contrast to the slick chrome seen elsewhere in the station, and has been opened up to the public a full two years before the Crossrail service becomes fully operational in 2018. The garden was designed by F+P alongside landscape specialists Gillespies, and is densely planted with trees and plants, all of which are sheltered by a partially enclosed timber lattice roof, which wraps around the building like a shell, and is made up of 1,418 spruce beams and 564 nodes.
The Canary Wharf Station was designed by the London-based architectural firm Foster + Partners
Gillespies say the 5,300m2 roof garden's design has been “Inspired by an old clipper that would have used the dock in its maritime heyday.” It is accessible from ground level along two connecting bridges, with the roof opening in the centre to draw in light and rain for natural irrigation. It also opens along the sides and at either end to allow views of the waterfront and surrounding city streets. Lord Foster of Foster + Partners, said: “The building is conceived to mediate between the adjoining worlds of Canary Wharf and the local community – with its different materials and emphasis on a softer expression and warmer materials.”
The garden was designed by F+P alongside landscape specialists Gillespies
Gillespies partner Stephen Richard, said: “The design of the garden responds to the architectural language of the roof in the creation of a unique and sheltered planting environment. It offers visitors a new vantage point from which to look out across the water and the surrounding area.” Sir George Iacobescu, chairman and CEO of Canary Wharf Group, also added: “The opening of Crossrail Place is a defining moment for Canary Wharf – the area is constantly evolving providing a diverse range of options, addressing the increasing demand for social and leisure facilities.” He also underlined that “This is only the beginning of an extraordinary development.”
A specialist planting consultancy was also employed by F+P on the project, with Growth Industry acting as a sub-consultant to Gillespies
A specialist planting consultancy was also employed by F+P on the project, with Growth Industry acting as a sub-consultant to Gillespies. Their role included production of reports on planting concepts, planting character, species selection criteria and commentary on the sustainability and climate. Detailed plant palettes were also produced by the consultancy to inform the final plans. Besides the gardens and the station itself, the development also includes four levels of shops, cafes and restaurants. The station consists of 7 levels overall, and currently acts as an extension of the usual shopping and eating spaces seen in the area. An Everyman cinema is opening later this month though, and there are lots of exciting new restaurants planned to open by the end of the year, so keep your eyes peeled Londoners! For now though, the roof garden will be open from dawn until dusk and booking is not required.
