We’re delighted that Canary Wharf estate’s extensive urban greening project was selected as a winner in the Exterior Living Wall Category in what the judges said was a ‘phenomenally’ high standard of entries.
Biotecture delivered PlantBox living walls in prominent locations across the Canary Wharf estate in 2021 and 2022. They are now helping to enrich the public realm and contribute to Canary Wharf Group’s (CWG) ambitious sustainability goals.
The judges commended us for ‘a green initiative worthy of support. A committed contractor coupled with a client willing to experiment.’
The BALI judging panel recognised how the Biotecture living walls are helping to improve air quality, attenuate rainwater and increase biodiversity for residents, commuters, workers and visitors to the area.
CWG originally appointed landscape architect Gillespies to create an urban greening framework at Canary Wharf, which involved them working in collaboration with Biotecture and Willerby Landscapes.
We proposed the PlantBox living wall system because it is freestanding, stackable, modular and only requires restraint fixings. This meant that it was able to deliver a big impact within a short timeframe; the first living wall was installed just eight weeks after our initial visit to Canary Wharf.
Richard Sabin, our Managing Director at Biotecture, said:
“Winning a National Landscape Award is hugely significant. The project was a successful experiment with transformational results. I’m really looking forward to working with Canary Wharf Group again in the future, as well as many other estate owners and councils to help green up urban areas across London and the rest UK.”
John Melmoe, chair of the judging panel, commented on this year’s entries: “The most difficult element of any project to deliver is the final 5%. It is this small difference that separates average schemes from great ones. During the review and deliberation process, we often comment on the elusive and, in many cases critical last 5%. It was self-evident that Biotecture’s exterior living wall at Canary Wharf met this criterion and we congratulate the company on their win.”
He added: “From the number of entries and client’s reactions over the years, the kudos of receiving a National Landscape Award remains highly respected within the industry. This year’s entries continue to showcase the complex and diverse nature of our industry, with some truly exemplary projects.”
Richard added: “We have a passion for biophilic design and green infrastructure and it is great to see all this coming together at Canary Wharf. The additional green spaces really enhance biodiversity, improve wellbeing and create enlivened spaces for everyone to benefit from. It is doubly satisfying to know that it has been recognised in this year’s BALI Awards.”
Paul Griffiths, Landscape Manager, Canary Wharf Group, said: “All works by Biotecture were completed in a professional and timely manner and we are extremely pleased with the final results and we have had so much positive feedback from colleagues and tenants. Thanks for a great job.”
Would you like to see the winning scheme for yourself? We were delighted to show some potential customers around the Canary Wharf site in September, and we have another tour coming up on 13th October. To book your place on the tour, simply follow this RSVP link.
Recent walking tour of the Canary Wharf living walls
