New Providence Wharf

A fine example, by SOM, of how buildings can be arranged to define and create open space - a great oval lawn with a river terrace and a perimeter canal giving privacy to the ground floor balconies. Water from the canal flows down water steps, beside the pedestrian steps, towards the River Thames walkway. Stainless steel, which can often be a chill material in gardens, is successfully used to make the scheme sparkle. Even the granite block seats are sufficiently warm to escape their too-common association with graveyards. The appartment buildings have green roofs and a reservoir system to hold rainwater at roof level.