The Brit Oval Cricket Ground was originally established in 1845 and forms an essential part of the cultural and historic urban fabric of the Vauxhall area, London. It is a famous sporting venue, steeped in history that makes a significant contribution to the status of London as a World City.
Weddles were engaged to design a 200m long, 30m high curtain between the neighbouring tall storey residencies and high level stadium rooms & seat tiers.
This Living Screen is an innovative horticultural icon: a 200m long and 20m high screen of climbing plants. This is landscape engineering on a massive scale and Weddles devised a means to take the concept through to reality. Without doubt, this will be one of the horticultural wonders of London, architecture with climbing plants on a scale that was the first of its kind. As thousands of cricket supporters flood into The Oval, they pass underneath the Living Screen, where hundreds of clematis, honeysuckle, wisteria and ivies are scrambling up stainless steel wires.
The screen creates a continuous and extensive green backdrop to the plaza, and pleasant views from neighbouring residential properties. It also prevents overlooking from certain viewpoints in the pavilion towards residential properties.
The main supports are curved laminated glulam timber carrying a trellis and cable grid, covered in climbing and trailing plants. Climbing plants are planted at the foot of each support and in aerial plant troughs at two heights, each with stainless steel wires above. The intention is a massive display of climbing and trailing plants, with seasonal change by leaf and flower colour.A award winning 200m long, 30m high curtain between the neighbouring tall storey residencies and high level stadium rooms & seat tiers.
Best Landscape Project was awarded to this scheme as it demonstrated best-quality work in challenging environmental or technical circumstances.
“The Living Screen at the Oval represents a huge achievement in a technically challenging Scheme,” said one judge.
Location:
Kennington, London, UK
Type:
Vertical Living Screen
Area:
2ha
Value:
£30M
Client:
Surrey County Cricket Club