In London, John McAslan + Partners together with Andy Sturgeon Design have transformed the iconic Sloane Street into one of the city’s greenest boulevards – reimagining the pedestrian experience with a focus on health, sustainability, heritage and the environment. Located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the kilometre-long street runs from Knightsbridge to Sloane Square and is home to luxury retailers and high-end homes.
“The benefits of plants and green space for health and well-being have been well documented in recent years and our key ambition was to bring visitors and residents into close contact with nature which is so vital in a city environment. It has been extraordinarily rewarding to be part of this collaboration to improve the character and atmosphere of this special part of London.”
— Andy Sturgeon, Andy Sturgeon Garden Design
Context
Led by masterplanners and landscape architects John McAslan + Partners, working in collaboration with landscape architect Andy Sturgeon Design, the project is the most significant upgrade to Sloane Street’s public-facing front since it was laid out by the first Earl Cadogan in the 18th century. As the architects explain, the revitalised streetscape reaffirms “the street’s international prestige as one of the world’s most fashionable districts – on par with Paris’ Avenue Montaigne and Rome’s Via Condotti.”
Ecological Program
The ecologically-driven program was inspired by the horticultural heritage of Cadogan Place Gardens – enchanting and extensive private gardens maintained for local residents – and the Chelsea Physic Garden. The masterplan includes an extensive greening strategy that the architects say contributes to a 17% increase in Urban Greening Factor and a 175% increase in biodiversity net gain.
The design included the planting of over 100 lime, juneberry and osmanthus trees, along with over sixty planters completed with a carefully selected and diverse mix of climate-resilient shrubs, flowers and ornamental perennials in a tonal palette of deep reds and marrons, purples and blues. The planting selection will provide a hardy and year-round sensory experience of colour and texture.
Craft and Heritage
The greening strategy was made possible by increasing the span of the pavement by 20% using “Yorkshire Gold,” a nod to both heritage and craft. Custom-designed brass pavement studs and silver-grey granite help demarcate parking and loading bays. Robust handcrafted granite planters offer integrated seating while performing discreet security measures – acting as a physical buffer between traffic and pedestrians. Dual-height lights, with details handcrafted by artisan ironworkers, feature intricate horticultural embellishments in cast-iron. Forms inspired by the nearby Arts and Crafts masterpiece, the Holy Trinity Church.
Sustainability
Sustainability was at the heart of the development process, with locally sourced stone providing the majority of hardscape materials, and a palette of drought tolerant plants used in the greening strategy, boosting biodiversity. Embodied carbon emissions have been reduced by 13% by implementing alternative materials and state of the art LED lighting technology will reduce future energy costs whilst simultaneously creating a safer night-time environment for residents and pedestrians.
Below Ground
Substantial new below-ground infrastructure has been installed to improve and future-proof digital connectivity for the area, with a significant proportion of the budget spent on improvements to divert and unify utilities, whilst managing the complexity of hundreds of underground coal cellars and the 19th century Bazalgette sewerage infrastructure.
