Pavilion Road
Pavilion Road
A green retreat woven into the fabric of Chelsea’s Pavilion Road
Location Vauxhall, London
The courtyard is open to the public and we saw it as an oasis in the busy neighbourhood of Chelsea. It is a west facing space, sheltered from traffic noise by Stiff and Trevillion’s splendid building. In the afternoon the walls reflect heat which together with the western sun creates a sheltered micro climate, both for plants an outdoor sitting. Shops and cafes connect to the sunken courtyard via the lower ground floor of the building. We saw an opportunity to develop a planting concept that was based on a calm oasis, reminiscent of a tropical island.
We were inspired by Hans Sloane, the enlightened physician and naturalist who’s daughter and heiress married the 2nd Baron of Cadogan. Hand Sloane was a renaissance man, keen to explore, travel, research and collect. He owned the Manor of Chelsea and donated the site for the nearby Chelsea Physic Garden, one of England's first botanic gardens. His collections from overseas were the foundation on which the Natural History Museums exhibits were based. He is also credited for having introduced coco beans which he first encountered on his travels to Jamaica and developed a recipe that was later used by Cadburys.
A sub-tropical scheme seemed to meet all criteria for the space and its history. The courtyard is lushly planted with palms, tree ferns and cycads, exotic and exuberant but capable of surviving inner city air and the winter. Planting on the upper terraces is inspired by higher altitude vegetation with bulbs and grasses forming an ever changing tapestry, reminiscent of an alpine meadow.
The quality of the stone work, bespoke benches and trellis designed to green elements of the facades with scented climbers matches the superb finish of the building.
Client Cadogan Estates
Architect Stiff + Trevillion
Planning Authority Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Status Completed - 2016