2-6 Cannon Street

• Commercial and
• Rooftop Gardens

Located adjacent to St Paul’s Cathedral, a new office development has been transformed by the installation of a beautifully designed and constructed public ‘Pocket’ Garden and a private roof terrace. All designed by Tom Stuart-Smith Ltd.

Tucked away in a discreet location the Pocket Garden is a welcome retreat for local residents, workers, passing tourists and wildlife. A naturalistic web of interweaving limestone paved paths divide the garden into a variety of intimate and open spaces. The copse of birch trees allows for delicate filtering of views across the garden becoming bright white sculptures in the winter. Verdant underplanting complements the paving with benches providing places to relax and enjoy the garden. An existing sculpture of Icarus by Michael Ayrton was relocated to the middle of the garden, while a fish scale inspired water wall harks back to the sites Elizabethan fish market history.

The building extends below the garden and a significant volume of lightweight fill was used under the paving. Trees were carefully maneuvered into position, working closely with the Landscape Architect on all planting. A working scale mock up of the water feature was made off site to test the visual and acoustic effect different finishes on the stone would have on the water flow. UK sourced limestone was used to make the water feature which had to be very precisely manufactured and installed to achieve the desired effect.

The private roof terrace maximizes the space available, creating a strong and elegant space with stunning views of London’s iconic skyline. Raised powder coated steel planters and Kebony decking installed on rails provide the hard structure to the roof garden. Greater colour, variety and interest is carefully incorporated into the planting.

Logistics and deliveries were the major challenge. Some of the early materials went up using the tower crane but most were loaded out through the building via the goods lift. The terrace works were severely impacted by the constant need for access by other trades. Both areas were automatically irrigated, and the Pocket Garden is now open to the public and maintained by the City of London.