Canada Dock boardwalk – ADC

Asif Khan has designed a 170m long boardwalk that floats on the surface of south east London’s Canada Dock, weaving its way across the water. Commissioned by British Land and AustralianSuper, as a key component in the Canada Water masterplan, the boardwalk references Surrey Docks’ history and its role at the heart of the timber trade during the 19th and 20th centuries. Pedestrians step from timber to timber, following in the footsteps of the rafters who hopped between floating deal planks in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The bridge also allows visitors to walk between a mosaic of different wildlife habitats – created by Townshend Landscape Architect working in collaboration with the London Wildlife Trust – without disturbing the environment. Three new wetland habitats have been created, alongside seven wetland islands, and over one kilometre of shallow edges. Reed beds, new flowering plants and trees have been planted to attract dragonflies, butterflies, kingfishers and frogs, while providing ideal nesting habitats for ducks, swans and other birds.Waterside seating and a series of steps down to the water’s edge encourage visitors to linger, while a new dipping pond provides a valuable educational resource.

Khan, whose multi-disciplinary practice spans the design of buildings, landscapes, installations, exhibitions and objects often alongside film, music or new technologies, has a particular interest in sensory experience, craftsmanship, cultural exchange and the merging of history with future worlds and specialises in projects that explore sites of complex narratives, community empowerment and questions of identity. Speaking of the Canada Dock project, he said “Crossing water can give us powerful sensations. This board walk immerses us in a few moments of colour, of nature and of beauty. I want to evoke the crossing of time too. I hope this gives someone a chance to take a breath and look at things in a new way. In today’s world, I think this is more important than ever.”

David Mooney, chief executive officer at the London Wildlife Trust, which will play an active role in the wetland’s management, said  “If every developer worked for nature’s recovery as much as this, the environment would be in a much better state.”