Olivio Wood for a New Urban Neighbourhood
Project
The Brentford Project
London, UK
The Brentford Project, the first phase of which was completed in 2024, is not only a finalist in this year’s Landscape Institute Awards; the project has also received an RIBA London Award and an RIBA National Award.
An approximately five-hectare waterfront site is being transformed into a vibrant new neighbourhood with homes, shops, restaurants and cafés – a place to walk, relax and spend time in west London.
Workhouse Dock used for leisure activities like paddleboarding
Credit: Ballymore Group / Grant Associates
The landscape and public realm design by Grant Associates reinterprets the character of the historic commercial and working yards of the former industrial site through a new network of streets and pathways. At the same time, it reconnects Brentford High Street with the River Brent, the Grand Union Canal and the Thames Path. A stronger connection between the town centre and the waterfront has been created.
Background
Olivio Wood columns, made from high-quality, robust pine and finished with a special weather-resistant stain, integrate seamlessly into any architectural project thanks to their natural properties.
View of Workhouse Dock during summer festival.
Credit: Ballymore Group / Grant Associates
The lighting concept for the newly created public realm was implemented by Selux using Olivio Grande luminaires mounted on seven-metre-high timber columns. The solution not only had to provide the required illumination levels, but also ensure that unwanted spill light did not enter the windows of the surrounding residential buildings. A vertical photometric calculation was therefore carried out for the lighting applications.
Olivio Wood blends harmoniously into the landscape and public realm strategy, whose key themes include the integration of local heritage, waterside recreation and biodiversity. Together, these elements strengthen the identity of the place and create a revitalised public realm where Londoners and visitors alike enjoy spending time.
project The Brentford Project, London
client Ballymore Group
landscape architect Grant Associates
architect AHMM, Glenn Howells Architects,
Maccreanor Lavington
photographer Credit: Ballymore Group / Grant Associates
product Olivio Wood