Royal Victoria Square, London

Royal Victoria Square sits on the bank of Victoria Dock, is adjacent to ExCel (Exhibition Centre of East London) to its east, a large Victorian warehouse to its north and a hotel to its west. This square was designed by EDAW (now AECOM) and Patel Taylor Architects and was completed in 2001. It was built, in conjunction with the Thames Barrier Park, and was intended to be a catalyst for the regeneration of this part of London, extending the City eastward. The square is composed of a sunken lawn to its west, a grid of trees to the east and cantilevered canopy at its centre, bisecting the space north, south. To the south of the square four cranes are poised on the water edge, retained as part of the areas dockyard history.

Royal Victoria Square, London – View Towards Victoria Dock

Royal Victoria Square, London – Tree Planting and Cranes

Royal Victoria Square, London – Lawn Step Edge

The trees are planted in self binding gravel strips. This allow water to permeate down to the roots of the trees and help to reduce surface water run off. The significant number of tree canopies to the east of this square help to reduce the wind speed and create a more habitable pedestrian environment.

Royal Victoria Square, London – Tree Grid in Self Binding Gravel

Royal Victoria Square, London – Tree Grid in Self Binding Gravel

Royal Victoria Square, London – Tree Grid

The canopy structure provides some shelter on rainy or excessively hot days. Text is punched out of the top edge of the canopy.

Royal Victoria Square, London – Shelter Structure

Royal Victoria Square, London – Shelter Structure and Tree Planting

Royal Victoria Square, London – Structure Text Detail

Royal Victoria Square, London – Water Edge Detail

Berberis wilsoniae

Berberis wilsoniae (07/12/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full Sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Berberidaceae

Berberis wilsoniae is a semi evergreen spiny shrub with a bushy, arching habit. Its grey green leaves are are spatula to oval shaped with entire margins, up to 25mm long and 6mm broad. They are produced in clusters of 2 -6 on a dwarf shoot in the axial of each spine. Its pale yellow flowers are up to 7mm across and are produced in short panicles of up to 7 flowers.  Its fruit is a translucent red berry, each contains a single seed. These berries will persist through the winter months, assuming they are not eaten by birds.

Berberis wilsoniae Berries (30/12/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Berberis wilsoniae, commonly known as Barberry, is native to west and south China. In its native habitat it grows at forest margins.

The etymological root of the binomial name for Berberis is derived from the Arabic  برباريس, the Arabic name for Berberis. Wilsoniae is named after Ernest Wilson (1876 – 1930), an English plant collector.

Berberis wilsoniae Leaf (30/12/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Berberis wilsoniae useful as a ground cover shrub with attractive flowers and winter berries. It makes an effective informal impenetrable hedge due to it’s vicious spiky branches.

Ecologically, Berberis wilsoniae flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. The fruit also attractive to birds and some mammals.  

Berberis wilsoniae prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.

Berberis wilsoniae requires little maintenance.

Chelsea College of Arts, Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground Landscape

The Rootstein Parade Ground is a newly created semi public space owned by the Chelsea College of Arts and functions as a flexible, programmable space, including outdoor gallery. It was designed by Landscape Architects Planet Earth. The parade ground is flanked by grand building on three of it sides with the final edge fronting  Atterbury Street and Tate Britain.

Chelsea College of Arts, Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground – View Across the Square

Chelsea College of Arts, Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground – View Across the Square

Chelsea College of Arts, Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground – Ground Recessed Lighting

The square is edged with resin bonded gravel, this band interfaces with all the buildings. Inside this edging is a square which is surfaced with granite setts. Inlaid flush into the granite setts are lighting strips which are able to change colour. The layout of the lighting appears to be generated by Fibonacci Spiral or Golden Spiral. At the centre of the space is a small square lawn.

Chelsea College of Arts, Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground – Ground Recessed Lighting Detail

Chelsea College of Arts, Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground – Ground Recessed Lighting Detail

Chelsea College of Arts, Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground – Ground Recessed Lighting

Clutter within the space has been kept to a minimum, a few benches and trees are located at its edges.

Chelsea College of Arts, Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground – Tree Pit Detail

Chelsea College of Arts, Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground – Bench Detail