Bath-based landscape architects Grant Associates is to help redevelop the site of a landmark building on London’s South Bank into a scheme that aims to prioritise wellbeing and sustainability.
The environmentally-driven firm, which has completed major projects across the globe, is working with the architects and developers on 72 Upper Ground, better known as ITV’s former studio complex, to create a new, £700m workplace and cultural mixed-use development, pictured.
The current 1970s high-rise building will be demolished to make way for a 26-storey tower linked to a 13-storey block which those behind the development say will create 4,000 jobs, many of them in the creative sector.
The controversial scheme – it was opposed by green campaigners and modernist architecture enthusiasts – recently received planning permission from Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove.
Grant Associates, which attracted widespread praise for its work on a social housing scheme in nearby Bermondsey, will be responsible for ensuring that 40% of the site is transformed into ‘inviting’ public realm.
This will include a public rooftop restaurant and terrace, two new public squares and several public walkways reconnect the site, which was previously closed off, to the local community.
Grant Associates said its landscape approach would embrace nature and look to provide a vibrant destination point with an abundance of welcoming public realm.
It will also focus on increasing the overall biodiversity impact and the development’s ability to seamlessly link with the wider local green infrastructure.
Grant Associates senior associate Andrew Haines, pictured, said: “The development will create a vibrant new destination that will include welcoming public spaces.
“It will improve connectivity and provide a green and biodiverse setting. Our landscape approach will optimise planting and wildlife opportunities throughout the project’s development.”
The scheme’s architects, London-based Make, said its layered, sculptural form would “maximise the opportunity for outdoor terraces throughout the development and echoes the distinctive, modernist architecture of the area”.
Grant Associates describes its work as reconnecting people with nature in insightful, delightful and distinctive ways while addressing the global challenges of urbanisation, the climate crisis and biodiversity extinction.
Best known as lead designers of Singapore’s world-recognised Gardens by the Bay and the Superbloom experience at Tower of London, it recently played a key role in the innovative design of a revolutionary airport terminal in Bengaluru (also known as Bangalore), India, that puts nature and biodiversity at the heart of the passenger experience.
Its work also includes supporting Bath’s Forest of Imagination community arts event.
