Canada Water area results from a master plan to create a new urban centre in the English capital, which aims to regenerate the area and transform it with new residential developments. In this context, Asif Khan's project for Canada Water, an area of ​​the Docklands in south-east London, has been presented.

The regenerated lake takes its name from the old Canada Dock, of which Canada Water is the northern third that has survived to this day, an area that was used by ships from Canada. As with much of the Docklands, the commercial docks of Surrey closed in the 1970s.

Asif Khan's aim with this new project is to improve connectivity within the city centre, offering visitors the chance to connect with nature and experience natural habitats without disturbing the environment. The new redwood serpentine structure sits on the water's surface allowing for close-up observation of nature.

This new biodiversity line features three new wetland habitats, seven wetland islands and over a kilometre of shallow shores, ideal for planting new flora that will attract ducks, swans, other birds, and different types of insects and amphibians. The biodiversity line is complemented by the walkway allowing for a closer experience of nature.

Paseo entablado en Canada Water por Asif Khan. Fotografía por Brendan Bell

Boardwalk at Canada Water by Asif Kha. Photograph by Luke Hayes.

Project description by Asif Khan

British Land and AustralianSuper, the joint venture partners behind the Canada Water masterplan, have today unveiled a new Asif Khan-designed public architectural landmark. The dramatic 170m long boardwalk is inspired by the history of the Surrey Docks and its role at the heart of the timber trade during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Townshend Landscape Architect designed a series of new steps down to the water's edge with waterside seating alongside an educational dipping pond, transforming the area into a unique public space to bring people together to learn about the area’s heritage and ecology.

The striking red timber structure allows people to traverse the dock by stepping from timber to timber, following in the footsteps of the rafters who hopped between floating deal planks in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Paseo entablado en Canada Water por Asif Khan. Fotografía por Brendan Bell.
Boardwalk at Canada Water by Asif Kha. Photograph by Brendan Bell.

The boardwalk aims to enhance connectivity within the town centre, while providing visitors with a new way to experience nature without disturbing the environment. It offers visitors the ability to connect with nature and walk between the different natural wildlife habitats. Gracefully weaving across the dock, the elevated structure floats on the water’s surface, offering unique views and bringing people down to experience nature up close.

Through the creation of a series of islands and channels, Townshend, working in collaboration with the London Wildlife Trust, has created a new shoreline alongside a mosaic of different habitats that will maximise biodiversity. Three new wetland habitats have been created, alongside seven wetland islands, and over one kilometre of shallow edges. Reed beds, new flowering plants and trees have been planted to attract dragonflies, butterflies, kingfishers and frogs, while providing ideal nesting habitats for ducks, swans and other birds.

“Crossing water can give us powerful sensations. This boardwalk immerses us in a few moments of colour, of nature and of beauty. I want to evoke the crossing of time too. I hope this gives someone a chance to take a breath and look at things in a new way. In today’s world, I think this is more important than ever.”

Asif Khan.

Paseo entablado en Canada Water por Asif Khan. Fotografía por Brendan Bell.
Boardwalk at Canada Water by Asif Kha. Photograph by Luke Hayes.

"If every developer worked for nature’s recovery as much as this, the environment would be in a much better state.”

David Mooney, chief executive officer at the London Wildlife Trust.

“At Canada Dock we had an incredible opportunity to reverse the ecological decline and create a space that improves the wildlife habitat and provides an environment where people and nature are better connected. By creating a mosaic of habitats it will help to sustain a more biodiverse community of birds, invertebrates and other wildlife.”

Gary Alden, senior associate at Townshend Landscape Architects.

Over the next decade, Canada Water's 53-acre (21.5 ha) masterplan will deliver a new neighbourhood for central London with around 1 million square feet (93,000 square metres) of new retail, leisure and educational amenities; up to 2 million square feet (186,000 square metres) of workspace for 20,000 workers; between 2,000 and 4,000 new homes; all alongside a 3.5-acre (1.5 ha) public park, a public square; London's first new high street in 100 years; and a new leisure centre.

More information

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Architects
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Collaborators
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Lead Designer and Landscape architect.- Townshend Landscape Architects.
Wildlife consultant.- The London Wildlife Trust.

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Builder
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Galldris.

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Developer
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British Land and AustralianSuper.

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Area
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53-acre (21.5 ha).

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Completion.- October 2024.

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Location
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Canada Water, London, United Kingdom.

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Photography
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Brendan Bell, Luke Hayes.
 

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Asif Khan (born 1979, London) founded his architecture practice in 2007. The studio works internationally on projects ranging from cultural buildings to houses, temporary pavilions, exhibitions and installations. Notable projects include the MegaFaces pavilion at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, the Coca-Cola Beatbox Pavilion at the London 2012 Olympics, and most recently he was a finalist in the competition for the Helsinki Guggenheim Museum and the British Pavilion at Milan Expo 2015.

He is the recipient of numerous awards, including a Red Dot award for Design, Cannes Lion Grand Prix for Innovation, a D&AD award, a Special citation in the Young Architect Programme 2011 MAXXI + MoMA/PS1, Design Miami Designer of the Future in 2011 and Design Museum Designer in Residence 2010. Khan lectures globally on his work, sits on the board of Trustees of the Design Museum and teaches MA Architecture at the Royal College of Art.

Khan was awarded an MBE for Services to Architecture in 2017 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Design Museum in London. His carbon fibre portals for Dubai Expo 2020 were nominated for the Aga Khan Award in 2023. Current projects include the Barbican Art Centre Renewal, the New London Museum, the Museum of the Incense Road in Al-Ula, the Tselinny Centre for Contemporary Culture in Almaty, and "Cartier" at the V&A in 2025.

He has collaborated with musicians and artists such as Brian Eno, Theaster Gates, Mark Ronson and scientists such as Di. Catherine Heymans. 

Khan's works have been exhibited at Sharjah Architecture Triennale, V&A Dundee, MAAT Lisbon, Royal Academy of Arts, Milan Salone, Milan Triennale, London Design Week, and Tokyo Design Week. He will participate as an artist in the Islamic Art Biennale in Jeddah, in 2025.

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Published on: November 6, 2024
Cite: "Urban regeneration. Boardwalk at Canada Water by Asif Khan" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/urban-regeneration-boardwalk-canada-water-asif-khan> ISSN 1139-6415
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