Lots Road, Chelsea, Landscape Design

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Landscape design for Lots Road, Chelsea

RSA designed the original scheme for Circadian Ltd, a Taylor Woodrow and Hutchison Whampoa joint venture, between 1999 and 2002. Hutchison Whampoa have commissioned RSA again to update the design and take the project through to completion.

The Lots Road site is to form a mixed-use nucleus for this revitalized urban quarter of Chelsea. Adjacent to the River Thames, the site will feature a sustainably designed, high-quality, public and private realm, with 25 and 37 storey residential towers designed by the Terry Farrell Partnership.

The landscape design proposals comprise four main characters at ground level: creek side park; urban open space, private terraces and garden spaces. The circulation consists of pedestrian priority paths and shared surface thoroughfares through the landscape. There are three main open spaces proposed.

To the east and west facades of the power station a predominantly hard-surfaced area facilitates vitality through the provision of cafe spaces and connects with the interior of the development.

The Thames towpath on the Hammersmith side of the scheme, a formally laid out semi-public garden is planned. This will be accessed from the residences and the towpath via a series of steps and ramps. The formal gardens will be contemporary in character and punctuated by specimen trees.

A linear tidal park is proposed for the third space that runs east-west along the creek itself.

The planning process involved significant collaboration with the Environmental Agency to achieve a sustainable design for the creek’s banks that mitigates the tidal effects and allows wildlife habitat creation and potential for recreation in different tidal scenarios.