Pocket park, London

Harris Bugg Studio has designed a public pocket park for a small street between the Tate Modern and Blackfriars Road.

The design was first incarnated as the studio’s M&G Garden for RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2021. It was inspired by the belief that there is no corner too small, too unloved, or too battered that cannot be transformed into somewhere restorative and powerful for people and wildlife, while also providing many climate and environmental benefits.

In its second and final home, the peaceful oasis will feature species chosen for their tolerance to urban climate extremes interspersed with unusual and delicate planting to inject moments of ephemeral beauty. Wherever possible, the plants and materials from the original garden will be reused, including a sculpture of repurposed metal pipes created in collaboration with the architecture and design studio Mcmullan Studio.

The work is due to start on site in the second half of 2023.