Christ Church Gardens
In the dense townscape of north Southwark some 200 metres south of Blackfriars Bridge, the street frontage is broken by tall London Plane trees signalling Christ Church Yard. This land was given to the Borough of Southwark in 1900 as a public garden. In 1999-2000 it was remodelled reopening on 16 June 2000 - the centenary of its first opening - to the sound of a specially composed fanfare played by a professional brass quintet. In 2002 a fourth phase of work was completed paving and planting the south garden and a children’s play area, again a community party.
The project was unusual for a number of reasons:
- funds were a mixture of public and private donations from EU grants to local companies and individuals.
- the design was developed in close collaboration with users who formed the client group and maintain the gardens in perpetuity
- management systems were set up for continued maintenance and care by the community
- the design incorporates high quality materials including York stone and purpose-designed benches yet was realised for well within the original budget because resources were focused where they were needed.
The project was supported by:
- London Borough of Southwark - Regeneration
- John Marshall’s Charity
- Sainsbury’s
- Hanson Brick
- Shepherd Neame
- Metropolitan Public Gardens Association
- many local companies and individuals.
Awarded: The London Spade 2000 for innovation in public garden design awarded by the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association
Featured in Lambeth walks.
Construction team:
- Architects - Marcus Beale Architects
- Landscape Architects - Groundwork Southwark
- Quantity Surveyors - Pierce Hill
- Contractor - Calabasas Ltd
- Client - London Borough of Southwark: Regeneration, representing the Christ Church Garden Group, and John Marshall's Charity earlier phases.
Sector: Regeneration
Location: London SE1, UK
Proj/Arch: Marcus Beale, Roger Meadows
Job/Arch: Andrew Dobson
Status: Built
Year: 1998 - 2002 various phases
