Building N is the first project to be constructed at Leamouth Peninsula, a new residential and cultural community planned for a former brownfield site at the confluence of the Thames and the River Lea. Derived from the organic forms of the riverbank, the design and massing of Building N seem to grow from the earth itself. Designers developed a lightweight “vertical garden” to allow landscaping on a very tight urban site that provides few opportunities for conventional green space. On the lower levels of the building, planted green walls screen an electrical substation and bring an element of surprise to the building architecture. Within the upper levels, a multi-purpose community center will support athletics, neighborhood meetings, events, and performances. The glazed façade of the upper stories offers panoramic views to the surrounding area, as far away as Canary Wharf and central London beyond, while a series of internal screens and louvers provide shading and light control.

Project Facts

Completion Year: 2008
Site Area: 0.50 hectares
Project Area: 3,665 m²
Building Height: 25.50 m
Number of Stories: 3

The Vertical Garden

At the southernmost tip of Leamouth Peninsula, Buildings N and I form an identifiable point of entry into this new urban community. The Leamouth Peninsula Master Plan established a language of organic forms, inspired by the riverbank and the vegetation of the region. Following these concepts, the podium of Building N is screened by a lightweight vertical garden that seems to emerge from the earth.

Designed in collaboration with Patrick Blanc, the vertical garden is composed of a metal frame, a layer of plastic, and a layer of rot-proof felt. This low-maintenance structure aids in lowering energy consumption, insulating the building, and cleaning the air. The felt functions as a capillary system, delivering water and nutrients to the roots embedded in the fibers, while the plastic layer protects the building from any possible water or root damage. An automated system at the top of the garden supplies water and fertilizer, funneling it through the felt to the base of the building, where it is recycled.