TARLING HEIGHTS & Watney plaza
A new public square linking Watney Market to Shadwell Station, and the streetscape for the adjacent new award-winning housing development.
The space beforehand was a narrow public path with poor visibility and had a bad reputation for anti-social behaviour with drink and drug problems. By opening up the space and re-routing the path through the square it has become a well used and cared for place by all the community.
Along the path is a series of slate seating blocks. Shadwell means "shallow well" and the surface of the stone was carved with ripples. Working with artist David Little we met many people in the local community to listen and record their stories. Within the slate blocks are carved quotes, sayings and nursery rhymes in a number of different languages.
I was the project lead from the early design stage through to completion. After six years, the ash trees are growing well, and the square has become the heart of the Shadwell community.
Whilst at Farrer Huxley Associates - completion 2008 - Shadwell, London - Client: One Housing Group - Value: £1.8m - Size: 1.4ha - Architects: S333 Architecture & Stock Woolstencroft