Chiswick Park
Chiswick Park, the modern office complex just off Chiswick High Road has won one of the UK’s most prestigious awards schemes for architectural and environmental design.
The 1.5 million square foot office complex, designed by Richard Rogers, has been given the award by the Civic Trust, a registered charity. A total of seven Special Awards, 50 Awards, 79 Commendations and 49 Mentions were awarded to outstanding examples of urban design, with projects ranging from new buildings and restorations, to landscape schemes and a light railway system.

Thames Barrier Park
Set within 22 acres of lawns, trees and uniquely contoured Yew and Maygreen hedges you can discover the delights of this urban oasis. There is children's play area, 5 a side football/basketball court, great places to picnic and play, the Thames path, with magnificent views of the barrier, and a fountain plaza where 32 jets spring from the ground to provide a cooling and entertaining delight for children to splash and play. The Green Dock is the centre piece of the park and the most attractive features is. Renowned international horticulturalist Alain Cousseran and Alain Provost selected colourful flowers and shrubs which reflect the river's ever changing spectrum of tints, shades and shapes creating a micro-climate where varieties of plants. Unfortunatley the weather was very wet so the park was pratically deserted but it was nice to get out of the rain and get a coffiee in the Visitor Pavilion Coffee Shop. Here you can indulge yourself with hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, salads, snacks, pastries, confectionery and ices while enjoying panoramic views in a relaxing atmosphere.

WATERFRONT LONDON:REDISCOVERING THE RIVERS AND CANALS OF THE CAPITAL
The Blue Ribbon Network is a major feature of the London Plan; it includes the Thames, the canal network, the other tributaries, rivers and streams within London and London’s open water spaces such as docks, reservoirs and lakes, as well as culverted parts of rivers, canals or streams.

The Diana Memorial Fountain
The fountain was opened to the public in 2004 by the Queen. It was designed by American Landscape Architect Kathryn Gustafson and cost £3.4 million to build. There has been some controversy surrounding the site, when it was first opened people were allowed to access the water, however after a series of hospitalizations the fountain had to be closed and now acces to the water is no longer allowed. The fountain seems to have been another unfortunate victim of the 'health and saftey brigade' the site is patrolled by no fewer than six wardens making sure 'fun' is kept to a minimum. Even on a cold winters day there was very much a surveillance feel to the site. Several tarmac paths run though and around the fountain that do take away from its original form. In all I think the original concept of the fountain is great but the red tape thats followed since its construction has detracted from the initial vision of the fountain. However its still something that can be enjoyed and the fountain itself looks great.

Blue Carpet

The Blue Carpet is a piece of Public Art in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, designed by Thoma Heatherwick. Although classified as a piece of public art, it is closer to an urban design feature. The piece occupies an open public space in front of the Laing Art Gallery, close to the main shopping and nightclub areas. The square has been covered in a skin of blue paving slabs. At the points where this skin reaches a building the slabs curve upwards to create the sensation that the tiles are a fabric laid over the area. There are a number of benches that appear to fold up from the carpet surface, and beneath the benches are sunk glass topped boxes which hold coloured lights. At the eastern end an established staircase leading to an elevated walkway is encased in a curving skin of wood ribbons.

The Scoop
The Scoop is a stretch of public space which centers in on the City Hall building. It is constantly being used for different events through out the year, such as live events music and cinema's. Of course one of the problem with the site is that you have to share it with Ken Livingston. I really like the site and the use of materials coupled with the fact that there is not a scrap of litter.

Queen Street Pilot Project
The Queen Street Pilot Project is part of the City Of London street scene challenge initiative. The pedestrianisation and removal of traffic from a number of roads has reduced conflicts between people and cars ans minimised the impact of traffic on the local street environment including pollution and noise. The use of high quality natural materials combined with innovative and inter grated design principles have guided the project and helped deliver the landscaping of a number of the streets and spaces along the project route. The project is funded by a partnership between the City Of London, Transport For London and business partners.

St Paul's
The garden is situated below the St Paul's and has a contemporary style that sill fits in with it's historic surrounding.

Russell Square
Russell Square is Situated south of Kings Cross this square has been redesigned in the last 5 or so years. When i visited it in the late 90's it was out dated and 60's style. The Beatles also used the square for some press shots in the early 60's. Its not a particular contemporary square nor is it a very beautiful one either. In fact it bearly scrapes into this blog.

Jubilee Park
Jubilee Park lies in the heart of Carnary Wharf the garden has been created as a haven for the workers. The designers of the park were Peter Wirtz Architects. I felt it quiet a strange place very clean and civilized but having just come from Mile End Park I'm not surprised I felt this. The parks lay out is based around two large raised water features with areas of grass and seating areas. The middle of the park also acts as a thoroughfare to a tube station and shopping centre that sits underneath the park.

Mile End Park