GROSS. MAX.: Brixton Central Square is formed by combining three separate public spaces: Tate Gardens, Windrush Square and St Mathews Peace Garden. The spaces are loosely defined by a series of civic buildings, including the town hall, St Mathews Church, Raleigh Hall and the Tate Library. However, these spaces are disconnected from each other and the civic buildings by a series of roads, two of which, Brixton Hill and Effra Road, carry heavy traffic. The project for Brixton Central Square aimed to create a much needed high quality public space that does justice to the significance of Brixton.
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Brixton Central Square reflects on the role of civic space at the start of the 21st century as a vibrant stage for a dynamic multi-cultural society. Traditional pillars of society such as church (religion), town hall (politics) and library (knowledge) which are all represented within Brixton Square are no longer the priority of such a civic space. The site was lost in space and time. It needed a new agenda in terms of programme and event, and a new setting for those activities, which provides both spatial coherence and an iconic landmark. The combination of garden and square can be reconciled into a new urban typology, which provides for opposite experiences such as solitude and gathering, enclosure and opening, the introvert and the extrovert: An integrated park and square for both bio- and cultural diversity.
Landscape Architecture: GROSS. MAX.
Location: Brixton, London
Client: London Borough of Lambeth / Transport for London
Budget: £ 6,500,000
Completion date: 2008
