Kiwi Wins Contract For Battersea Power Station

10 May 2011

Kiwi Wins Contract For Battersea Power Station

A New Zealander, Sam Martin, has jointly won the multi-million dollar contract for the landscape design of the iconic Battersea Power Station site in the UK, one of Europe’s most significant regeneration projects.

Martin’s firm, Exterior Architecture and LDA Design, is one of the UK’s largest independent practice of landscape architects.

Originally from Peel Forest in South Canterbury, Martin moved to London in 2001 and set up his own practice, Exterior Architecture Ltd, in 2003 specialising in large scale private residential garden design throughout the UK and Europe.

Before establishing Exterior Architecture Ltd Martin was an associate partner with Robert Watson Landscape Architects in New Zealand where he focused on environmental impact assessments for government and commercial clients.

“I grew up right next to the southern most stand of mixed broadleaf and podocarp native bush in New Zealand. My early knowledge and awareness of native plants, mixed with growing up among three generations of exotic tree planting on our family farm, provided me with a broad base and understanding of the natural and cultural landscape of New Zealand and gave me the confidence to set off to the UK and bring some of the Kiwi flora and landscape to England.”

In line with this, Martin designed the New Zealand Garden in Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park opened in April 2007.

The Battersea Power Station project will be Martin’s biggest to date. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and built in the 1930s, it is one of London’s most iconic buildings and represents the best of the capital’s industrial past. Since its decommissioning in 1983, the Grade II listed building has remained empty and is currently on the Buildings at Risk register. However, major redevelopment of the site has begun, with work on Phase One already under way and consisting of a residential and mixed-use development.

The power station site is the last remaining large riverfront development opportunity in Central London. The master plan for the 15.4ha site by New York based architect Rafael Vinoly will deliver over nine hectares of open space, including a 2.5ha public park and over 400m of water frontage on the South Bank. The waterfront will be opened up for the first time in 100 years.

The multi-million proposal put forward by LDA Design and Exterior Architecture consists of a conceptual ‘forest’ to ‘green’ the spaces between the buildings.

Martin: “The ‘forest’ will feel lush, productive and full of nature with enough height and magnitude to mediate between the vast brick facades of the Power Station and the glassy elevations of the new blocks. We will work to create great public spaces where Londoners and visitors can enjoy spending time.”

Battersea Power Station is now set to become the largest regeneration project in Central London.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a new park in central London, to not only benefit the residents in this part of south west London but also improve London’s bio-diversity,” Martin said.

“We are delighted to be creating a new landscape for one of the most exciting regeneration projects in the capital. It is rare to work not only within the setting of a truly iconic building but also within the framework of a master plan that will create an entirely new network of spaces right in the heart of London.”

LDA Design is also jointly leading the design of the parklands and public realm for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Stratford, East London. The practice is also leading the design of the post-Games transformation of those areas.

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