Kew Appoints Landscape Architect
In its 250th year the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is commissioning
GROSS. MAX. landscape architects to create a long-term plan to shape the Gardens
for future generations. This landscape masterplan will be the first comprehensive
analysis and design for Kew since William Nesfield's proposals in the 1840s.
William Nesfield connected up the many Royal gardens that had become a part of Kew
giving a coherent plan to the overall site. Since Nesfield, the gardens have gradually
transformed as architects and landscape designers such as Lancelot 'Capability'
Brown sculpted the grounds.
This new project will bring together aspects of Kew's history and heritage with
biodiversity and sustainability to provide direction for the Gardens to evolve over
the next 25 years. RBG Kew is a world-leader in plant conservation, working with
partners around the globe to rescue species and habitats and help people adapt to
the impact of climate change. Part of the plan will look at how plant conservation
can be reflected in the Gardens.
"Kew is a unique landscape of outstanding historical and botanical importance, which
has continually changed and evolved," said Jill Preston, Kew’s Director of Communications
and Commercial Activities. "In our anniversary year the landscape masterplan is
an opportunity for us to enhance the Gardens and create a new heritage for the next
250 years."
GROSS. MAX. will look at how the Gardens can be improved for visitors, identifying
a set of ten proposals that could be developed. The designers will also consider
Kew's role as a living botanical collection, reflecting an increased interest in
habitats over a pure taxonomic display. This will include where to position replacement
specimens and how the Gardens' 3D framework is affected as woody collections grow
and change.
Kew became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and unusually it is a World Heriage
Site that is still being used for its original purpose. The designers will be ensuring
that Kew Gardens' World Heritage universal values are maintained and will re-examine
how Kew relates to the River Thames and the changing climate. The development of
the landscape masterplan will be accompanied by an extensive consultation with staff
to harness all the skills within Kew, as well as with external stakeholders. The
plan is due to be completed in November.
Eelco Hooftman, partner of GROSS. MAX. Landscape Architects said: "The challenge
of the project is to pay tribute to the Gardens' status as a World Heritage Site
as well accommodating continuous transformation. Over the years the Gardens have
lost their relationship with the River Thames. The opportunity to reintegrate Kew
Gardens with the river is an exciting project for the 21st century."
GROSS. MAX.
GROSS. MAX. Landscape architects are an award winning practice with projects across
Europe, Middle and Far East. Recent projects in London include Lyric Square, Pottersfields
Park adjacent to Tower Bridge and the external space around the Royal Festival Hall.
In Scotland the practice collaborates on the new John HopeGateway Visitors Centre
at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. A range of collaborations with international
renowned plantsman Piet Oudolf includes projects for the Zuiderzee Museum (The Netherlands),
Essen Cultural Capital Europe 2010 (Germany)and the Shinnyo Living Plant Museum
Murayama (Japan). GROSS. MAX. was awarded the European Landscape Award by Topos
Magazine in 2006. A Monograph on the works of GROSS.MAX is published by C3 Publishing
Co., Seoul ISBN 978-89-86780-39-0 For more information visit www.grossmax.com.