THE TIDE RISES
25 Jul 2019
The first phase of The Tide, an elevated linear park along the River Thames in London, has been opened to the public, providing a recreation and greenspace to encourage community engagement with the outdoors.
Image by Jeff Moore
Conceived as a “destination for art, design, and wellbeing”, the project has been designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Neiheiser Argyros and features artistic contributions from Damien Hirst and Morag Myerscough, among others. Intended for running, walking and meditation, the park is located on the Greenwich Peninsula and has been designed to be freely accessible to all.
The Tide is billing itself as London’s first elevated linear park. As part of the scheme, bridges between elevated timber decked ‘stepping stones’ planted with native trees and natural vegetation provide visitors with platforms to pause, reflect and enjoy views of the River Thames.
Image by Jeff Moore
Now open to the public, the first section of the five-kilometre-long landscape features elevated walkways that are nine metres high. Meanwhile, sunken gardens, a long outdoor picnic table and a jetty garden seek to provide respite from the bustling city.
Evolving over the years, the finished route will connect each new peninsula neighbourhood as they are built, weaving among the new buildings. A distinctive black and white stripe pattern seeks to establish a bold visual experience while reflecting the movement of the neighbouring river.
Image by Jeff Moore
“This first phase of the tide opens a new public realm that will over time connect Greenwich Peninsula’s neighbourhoods with a vibrant network of outdoor art, food and recreation spaces,” says Diller Scofidio + Renfro partner-in-charge, Benjamin Gilmartin. “Here, 28 sculptural steel structures cluster and lean together as islands of mutual support, defining a layered landscape. At ground level, their swaying legs shape vaulted portals and cafe pavilions. Above, they create an infrastructure for quieter overlook gardens. Londoners traversing the tide will experience a unique cross-section of the peninsula’s daily life — from the buzz of visitors by the O2 [arena] to the meditative rustle of boats and lapping waves at the riverfront.”
Image by Charles Emerson
Damien Hirst’s two sculptures Hydra & Kali and Mermaid from Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable were the site’s first arrivals, with more of his work to follow. Under the elevated walkway is a boldly coloured installation by Morag Myerscough that illuminates The Tide’s arches with her signature super-graphics.
The first one-kilometre of The Tide opened on July 5, 2019.
Image by Charles Emerson
Read about the full scope of The Tide project here.
Via designboom