RISING WITH THE TIDE
16 May 2019
Designs have been revealed for a new park that will run linear alongside London’s River Thames at the Greenwich Peninsula. Called The Tide, the park will bring an “unrivalled outdoor experience” to the city with an expansive 3D landscape that opens up to the river, bringing the community together to enjoy nature and escape the city.
Diller Scofidio + Renfro collaborated with Neiheiser Argyros to create an exciting new culture and leisure precinct for London that runs for 5km along the River Thames at Greenwich Peninsula. The linear park is the first of its kind for London and offers a 3D experience, featuring nine-metre-high elevated walkways that wind through trees and an evolving collection of public art. The landscaped route includes places for running, walking and meditation.
“The Tide brings to London an unrivalled outdoor experience in the city,” commented Kerri Sibson, Director of Greenwich Peninsula. “This bold 3D landscape opens up the river, brings people together, gives us art to absorb, nature to enjoy and space to escape. Most importantly, it’s a place for everyone.”
The first kilometre of the park features nine elevated walkways with bridges hanging between them that are planted with native flora, providing a place for visitors to stop and reflect. Sunken gardens, outdoor picnic tables and a jetty garden will provide a sanctuary from the bustling city life.
“The design of The Tide seeks to embed a new public realm into the daily rhythms of Greenwich Peninsula by layering together its currents of activity into a thickened landscape,” explained Diller Scofidio + Renfro Partner-in-Charge, Benjamin Gilmartin. “Visitors will experience the park from varying vantage points, from street level up to nine-metre-high elevated paths that weave through the site to plug into the existing network of leisure, art, and social life across neighbourhoods. Diverse programming along the way will act as islands that welcome the surges of commuters, visitors, cyclists and runners, while also providing intimate places of pause for contemplation, conversation, and people watching.”
Damien Hirst’s The Hydra & Kali and Mermaid sculptures will be two of the first pieces of art to be installed on the site. Under the elevated walkway a bright installation by Morah Myerscough will feature, illuminating the tide’s arches with bold graphics. The finished route will adapt to each new neighbourhood that is built along the Peninsula, weaving in between the buildings.
A distinctive black and white pattern will create a bold visual experience and ground the park in its surroundings. The ‘ebb and flow’ of space in between each of the zones along the park mimic the movement of the River Thames.
Image © Luke Hayes
The park will open to the public on July 5, 2019.
Images © Uniform