The existing Exchange Square site was created in the early 1990s, spanning over the tracks of Liverpool Street Station, characterised by its central lawn area and extensive use of pink granite, with a series of steps providing access to each level which provide a popular place to sit. Canvas canopy and avenue of trees provide shelter. The following figure shows the existing Exchange Square (Google Maps).
Designers DSDHA highlighted the main issues with the existing site to be the dated, corporate materials (pink granite), visual connection issues, accessibility issues and poor design of changes in level. Situated in Broadgate, City of London, Exchange Squares location has high footfall from various access points, though it was analysed that the movement through the site is largely defined by 'obstructions' on route. Grade II listed train shed of Liverpool Street bounds the site and other surrounding buildings are also of significant architectural merit, indicating that the site is a valuable space.
The client brief (British Land) set out key development objectives, these included:
- Creating an environment which creates places to stay, not just pass through.
- Attract a more diverse group of users to Broadgate.
- Enhance permeability, wayfinding, integrating Broadgate into its surroundings and green spaces to improve wellbeing
- Improve accessibility and reduce steps
- Provide better and more opportunities for seating.
- Create more opportunities for pop-up structures and events.
The following figures are preliminary conceptual sketches.
The concept behind the redesign of Exchange Square was to create a line through the space which slows down time being situated in a high-pace city and location. This influenced a change in the topography of the site, facilitating relaxation, vegetation, movement, creating a sense of balance. Elements included in the design include new retail unit, lighting scheme, planting, activity/informal play spaces, cascading pools, timber benches, amphitheatre, accessible roof terrace, oculus to improve lighting and a central event space.
The planting palette is comprised of shade tolerant under-tree planting, Betula pendula subps. pendula 'Tristis', lawn areas, climbers and green roof details, bulb planting and ground covers. The following figure explores the proposed planting palettes in further detail.
14,000 plants were used and over 140 different species were used in the final design of the site - a 600% increase increase in biodiversity, and 25% of the area features accessible green space.
The material palette involves weathered steel railway grinders creating 'the line' through the site, exposed aggregate concrete paving and planter edges, timber, and granite setts.
The overall ambition for the redesign of Exchange Square was to create a park space which nurtures both plants and people - retrofitting nature into the heart of the City. Existing foundations were reused to clad corporate building bordering the site on Sun Street Passage, 90% of the structural frame was also reused, and a 61% reduction in embodied carbon was achieved as a result of changing granite paving to limestone.
DSDHA have created a modern, dynamic space, the planting is interesting - having visited mid March the Magnolia were in flower along with Hamamelis, Euphorbia, various Tracheophyta. The following figures illustrate these species.
The redesign of Exchange Square is interesting, the space is inviting and the planting is inspiring, during the warmer months its clear the space will be filled with a diverse range of people with endless opportunities for relaxation and play. The terrazzo inspired paving and planting details in my opinion is visually harsh with the sun beaming down, making it hard even navigate through the space, perhaps a darker mix of cement and aggregate would have made a more positive impact on the space. However, the designers executed the clients brief creating a fusion of nature in a cityscape, a haven for relaxation, much needed by many in the surrounding environments.
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