Westferry, London, UK

Michael Grubb Studio was appointed by Northern & Shell PLC to provide a Lighting Strategy for Westferry Development – a vibrant new waterfront neighbourhood on the Isle of Dogs with green open spaces and excellent leisure amenities, just minutes from Canary Wharf.

Michael Grubb Studio worked closely with developers Westferry Development Ltd and partner Mace Developments Ltd, as well as a multi-disciplinary team led by PLP Architects and landscape architects LDA Design to develop a site wide Lighting Strategy.

The development will be a vibrant new waterfront neighbourhood for London and is part of a 15-acre site of the former Westferry Printworks that closed in 2011. It will provide new homes, two new parks, a 1,200-space secondary school, sports facilities, an appealing mix of independent retailers, restaurants and bars, a community centre, a crèche and healthcare facilities – with a sense of neighbourhood at its’ heart.

The Lighting Strategy considers all areas of the site, placing importance upon enhancing people’s daily lives and focussing attention on how lighting can support the way people use and enjoy spaces. Areas included are: two new parks, playful streets, courtyards, waterside and woodland walks. A fountain plaza will become the site’s new social and cultural hub. To the west, a flexible green space overlooking the water provides the perfect spot for socialising or events. An additional hard landscaped square will provide a place for community gatherings, such as outdoor cinema, all beneath two iconic cranes – relics of the area’s industrial past.

A south-facing promenade offers uninterrupted views to the water, supported by ground floor cafés and retail spaces to create a vibrant dockside experience. Each courtyard garden is different, reinforcing the character, personality and individuality of each space. Podium courtyards will provide tenants with open lawns, play experiences, spaces for communal dining, and colourful planting.