Collaborative Creation – The Paper Garden at Canada Water
On behalf of British Land, we have been supporting the ongoing progress of the Canada Water masterplan across various elements of the project. Here our design director Jack Wilshaw tells us more about a very special, sustainability project…
Members of our team have been involved in the huge regeneration project at Canada Water, supporting with the fire engineering strategy at this 53-acre mixed-use urban centre.
One really special part of the project that we’ve been privileged to be involved in on a pro-bono basis, is the Paper Garden. Run by the charity Global Generation, this former car park has been transformed into a 200m2 classroom and ecology garden – a collaborative seedbed in which to nurture creativity and community.
Over 3,000 people have volunteered their time to create this incredible space – currently one of London’s biggest circular economy buildings; emphasising sustainability through the reuse and recycling of materials.
The structure was created using concrete plinths and cordwood walls made from felled timber donated from Epping Forest – notably the classroom being the only two storey cavity wall cordwood building in the UK. Railway sleepers were also donated from Network Rail sites and formed the framework and of the existing structure.
We’ll get a closer look at the space in action on 28th June when we will be joining with other people involved in the project as part of the London Architecture Festival. This will include developers, contractors, designers and young people who have all been involved in contributing their skills to create this space. The celebration will reflect on what has been achieved through an exciting evening of talks and discussions and I look forward to sharing more information and details after that time.
For now, you can find out more about the Paper Garden here.
