Asif Khan's aim with this new project is to improve connectivity within the city centre, offering visitors the chance to connect with nature and experience natural habitats without disturbing the environment. The new redwood serpentine structure sits on the water's surface allowing for close-up observation of nature.
This new biodiversity line features three new wetland habitats, seven wetland islands and over a kilometre of shallow shores, ideal for planting new flora that will attract ducks, swans, other birds, and different types of insects and amphibians. The biodiversity line is complemented by the walkway allowing for a closer experience of nature.
Boardwalk at Canada Water by Asif Kha. Photograph by Brendan Bell.
Project description by Asif Khan
British Land and AustralianSuper, the joint venture partners behind the Canada Water masterplan, have today unveiled a new Asif Khan-designed public architectural landmark. The dramatic 170m long boardwalk is inspired by the history of the Surrey Docks and its role at the heart of the timber trade during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Townshend Landscape Architect designed a series of new steps down to the water's edge with waterside seating alongside an educational dipping pond, transforming the area into a unique public space to bring people together to learn about the area’s heritage and ecology.
The striking red timber structure allows people to traverse the dock by stepping from timber to timber, following in the footsteps of the rafters who hopped between floating deal planks in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The boardwalk aims to enhance connectivity within the town centre, while providing visitors with a new way to experience nature without disturbing the environment. It offers visitors the ability to connect with nature and walk between the different natural wildlife habitats. Gracefully weaving across the dock, the elevated structure floats on the water’s surface, offering unique views and bringing people down to experience nature up close.
Through the creation of a series of islands and channels, Townshend, working in collaboration with the London Wildlife Trust, has created a new shoreline alongside a mosaic of different habitats that will maximise biodiversity. Three new wetland habitats have been created, alongside seven wetland islands, and over one kilometre of shallow edges. Reed beds, new flowering plants and trees have been planted to attract dragonflies, butterflies, kingfishers and frogs, while providing ideal nesting habitats for ducks, swans and other birds.
“Crossing water can give us powerful sensations. This boardwalk immerses us in a few moments of colour, of nature and of beauty. I want to evoke the crossing of time too. I hope this gives someone a chance to take a breath and look at things in a new way. In today’s world, I think this is more important than ever.”
Asif Khan.
"If every developer worked for nature’s recovery as much as this, the environment would be in a much better state.”
David Mooney, chief executive officer at the London Wildlife Trust.
“At Canada Dock we had an incredible opportunity to reverse the ecological decline and create a space that improves the wildlife habitat and provides an environment where people and nature are better connected. By creating a mosaic of habitats it will help to sustain a more biodiverse community of birds, invertebrates and other wildlife.”
Gary Alden, senior associate at Townshend Landscape Architects.
Over the next decade, Canada Water's 53-acre (21.5 ha) masterplan will deliver a new neighbourhood for central London with around 1 million square feet (93,000 square metres) of new retail, leisure and educational amenities; up to 2 million square feet (186,000 square metres) of workspace for 20,000 workers; between 2,000 and 4,000 new homes; all alongside a 3.5-acre (1.5 ha) public park, a public square; London's first new high street in 100 years; and a new leisure centre.
