Studio Egret West are leading as masterplan architect and landscape architect to transform a 1970s shopping centre into a vibrant, landscape-led town centre for Lewisham.
Studio Egret West, working with LandsecU+I as developer, have put forward a planning submission comprising a hybrid application for a 17-acre masterplan, and a detailed application for the first two residential buildings, crafted by Mae Architects, Studio Multi and Archio Ltd.
The new neighbourhood will provide homes, co-living and student residences, alongside a meadow-inspired multi-level public realm, comprising eight acres of publicly accessible green space.
Over 3,000 residents and local stakeholders helped to drive the new vision for Lewisham, retaining the retail offer within the shopping centre, and providing the community with an elevated meadow above. This carefully considered development owes its success to the collaborative approach at Studio Egret West; combining urban design, landscape architecture and architecture to unlock the complex and constrained site. The studio’s transdisciplinary approach ensures that the proposals are centred around the landscape, for the benefit of people and the planet.
In creating a new district for South London, a compelling landscape concept has enabled Studio Egret West to bring together a place of many parts. In ancient Saxon records, Lewisham is called Levesham, meaning the house among the meadows. The settlement was previously an area of open marshland and sat at the confluence of two rivers. The overarching landscape concept therefore takes inspiration from the site’s former history and Lewisham’s historic name, to create a sequence of spaces called Lewisham Meadows.
Why meadows? Meadows are appropriate in their resilience to urban conditions due to their hardiness and low maintenance, whilst also providing significant biodiversity value and carbon capture. Most importantly, meadows have a unique atmospheric and sensory quality that resonates with people. Dramatic seasonal blooms, light airy textures, and gentle movement. Qualities that are not often experienced in urban London. These qualities, combined with a meadow’s practical capabilities, underpins Lewisham Meadows to become a destination in its own right within London.
The proposed first phase of development is focused around the Northern Square. The square sits adjacent to the River Ravensbourne and within the flood zone of the river, which has driven the creation of a water meadow within the public realm. The design adapts to changing weather conditions – flooding within safe boundaries during heavy rain, and receding during drier conditions. While reducing the risk and impact of flooding across the wider area, this strategy creates a dynamic experience for visitors and residents, where the square will suddenly transform into a network of shimmering pools and ponds during heavy rainfall.
Stepping up to the first floor is The Street and The Eastern Terrace, providing an elevated destination to eat, dine and socialise within Lewisham town centre. A planting palette inspired by heathland has informed a ‘rocky heath meadow’ character, cascading and climbing the banks, steps and terraces of the first-floor public realm.
The Park sits at the top of the multi-level landscape. This is a generous, elevated green space at the heart of the proposals, including a destination play space and community pavilion. The Park is a place to relax, away from the busy activity of the high street and ground level squares. The ’Wildflower Meadow’ planting in this location aims to be the most vibrant meadow, allowing people to sit amongst an ever-changing display of seasonal meadow species.
Back down to street level are the Southern Squares, comprised of active streets and squares for markets and evening events. A focus on reuse of materials will help to distinguish the southern public realm from the north. The ‘Pioneer Meadow’ planting approach adheres to this change in quality and texture by taking inspiration from naturally occurring ruderal species found in brownfield, post-industrial and derelict sites.
Crafting an authentic destination for Lewisham has been made possible through a combination of extensive community engagement, transdisciplinary design and visionary placemaking. This effort has helped to shape Lewisham Meadows as a landscape-led framework, designed around the values of connection, sustainability and community.
Written by
Martin Lee CMLI
Senior Landscape Architect at Studio Egret West
