This piece of land had been derelict and overgrown for many years until Eyestorm, the contemporary art galley, moved into the adjoining premises in 2006.  After Eyestorm clearing the land of weeds, unwanted plants and rubbish, Eyestorm approached Better Bankside for some assistance under our Business Green Grant scheme.

 

With the consent of the landowner, GC Bankside, who also contributed to the project, Better Bankside employed Groundwork Southwark to undertake the design of the scheme and its installation with the help of Eyestorm’s staff.

The result... a new place to enjoy the fresh air in Bankside. A layer of forest bark add a shaded woody feel of the place, 3 large timber planting beds have been filled with a range of shrubs, perennials and climbing plants to give a “muted colour scheme of silver, purples and whites” that provide a background to the pink tables and chairs that Better Bankside has placed there.

 

The current sculptures on the site entitled ‘Fixing Blocks’are by Richard Trupp, one of the most talented and ambitious young British sculptors working today.

 

A number of local residents, particularly those in Bankside Lofts which overlooks the site, have commented on the site saying how much difference it has made to this part of Bankside "Many residents have commented positively on the transformation of the site from the rubbish tip it once was to a...."

 

The land is earmarked for redevelopment to start in late 2007/08 when the planting beds, most of the plants and the forest bark will be recovered and moved to another location within the Bankside Urban Forest area.