Fulham Island - London

A ‘secret’ garden for modern city living, this development on an island site in Fulham, West London is a mix of new and existing housing, office and retail space and restaurants. The first-floor garden provides a communal space for the residents and office workers who share the space.

The roof terrace design is derived from the concept of a Californian dry garden which complements the approach to the new architecture. The gardens are planted with Palms, Yuccas, Cordylines and Agaves, which float in raised ‘islands’ on pale paving to. Coloured stainless steel and ceramic tiles enrich the palette. Fountains set on a curve add a refreshing strand of water to energise the space.

Evening Standard Lifestyles Award, 2003
Civic Trust Commendation, 2004
National Home Builder, 2004

Client:     Manhattan Lofts
Architect:    CZWG

Article extract from The Independent:

Creating the feel of a Californian landscape fell to the landscape architect Jennifer Coe. She and Piers Gough worked closely on the textures and colours until they settled on exacty the right blues and yellows. One of the refurbished buildings with shades of Art Deco has a rich mustard-coloured façade with a stark white stairway running down to the garden. "We used scuptural plants and rocks and river-washed stones to suggest the dryness of California. We used colour in slabs on the floor and with the stainless steel around the planters." The textured and coloured stainless steel changes shades as it catches the light, even on a dull day, while the white floor has the effect of making it appear to be permanently bathed in sunlight. The garden is for the use of the residents - office workers can only look and admire