ROYAL ALBERT DOCKS
A destination for the arts with culture that reflects the trading and maritime heritage of the area whilst increasing biodiversity and prioritising a net zero approach
Map of Royal Albert Dock Site 1:10 000, London
The Royal Albert Dock site is located in East London close to Canary Wharf. It was completed in 1880. The site is located near to the University of East London campus and London City Airport is on the other side of the dock.
Phasing
Phase 1
Autumn
Planning Application for a mixed-use development that has cultural and artistic spaces through the form of a museum, garden attractions, renewable power generation and educational facilities through the Horticultural Education Centre and temporary event space.
Winter
Permission given. Work starts on temporary event space at dock edge. Work on renovating the central buffet for its new use of the Horticultural Education Centre begins. Christmas Market, first use of the temporary event space underway along with the temporary ice rink.
Spring
Work begins on the Destination Garden. A team is selected to work with the horticulturalists to design, plan and build the garden. Design work completed during winter period. Planting begins during the Spring.
Phase 2
Summer
Aim for the destination garden to be completed by summer in order to welcome visitors.
Summer
Season tickets for destination garden released.
Summer
Work begins on constructing the solar installation.
Phase 3
Autumn
Work on the Hydroponic Start-up zone begins.
Autumn
Renovation of the Dock Managers Studio Museum and Gallery begins.
Winter
The Horticultural Education Centre Opens.
Short courses and workshops begin.
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Groundworks begin for the urban farm.
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Spring
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The Urban Farm is set up with the local community.
Key objectives
A circular economy
A green economy
A cultural economy
The development will adopt solar power across the entire development in order to limit the environmental impact. The hydroponic start-up is an example of another business in line with circular economy values.
The horticultural education centre will generate an income through horticultural training courses. The destination garden will generate an income from tourists.
The Dock Managers Office Studio Museum and Gallery will provide a space to enhance the area's cultural offer through curation of artworks and art workshops.
A self-sustaining community
An artistic community
The development will build on the continual growth generated from the destination garden and horticultural education centre; with this income reinvested in future projects.
A healthy community
The urban farm will make access to fruit and vegetables more accessible and help to encourage healthy eating. The benefits of being outdoors gardening will be promoted.
The community will benefit from the talent of local artists who will run workshops involving the community, giving them the opportunity to express themselves through art and present their works in the Dock Managers Office Museum Studio and Gallery.
A place of equal opportunities
The development will give the local community opportunities to take part in the regeneration process through the cultural and artistic offer as well as employment in the museum and its cafe, hydroponic startup zone, storage centre and green tech industries.
An active community
The development will have good cycle infrastructure as well being connected to cycle infrastructure. This will limit the use of private vehicles. The area's good transport connections will mean that it is easily accessible and draw people from outside areas to visit.
A destination
The development will draw people and tourists from outside the area. These will come to see the destination garden, attend horticultural courses, attend art workshops, visit the Dock Managers Studio Museum and Gallery.
A community focussed development
The development will become a destination for the arts and culture that reflects the trading and maritime heritage of the area.
The different parts of the site will be integrated through the careful naming of areas to reflect the international connections that the Royal Docks had during operation and key actors in the urban development of the area.
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The focus on the community being part of the regeneration of the site is key to its success and the benefits of this approach are that a sense of ownership of the regeneration is generated as the community helps to lead the projects.
THE DOCK MANAGERS OFFICE STUDIO GALLERY
The Dock Managers Office will be transformed into a community studio, gallery and museum with a coffee shop and a permanent collection highlighting the Royal Dock's maritime history and heritage. There will be an additional gallery that will house a changing themed collection of artworks created by artists and the local community. This focus on the community being part of the regeneration will give the Dock Managers Office a new use that is valued by the community.
This community led approach provides the opportunity for local people to set up their own creative businesses to sell their works. It will offer them skills development and training as part of the regeneration process in the form of subsidised workshops running from The Dock Managers Office.
NET ZERO AND THE GREEN CANOPY
DESTINATION GARDEN- AN EDUCATIONAL CLIMATE RESPONSIVE GARDEN
The destination garden will be climate responsive and makes use of drought tolerant plants and methods of water conservation. There will be a focus on educating visitors about drought tolerant plants that can deal with warmer temperatures and low levels of rainfall.
Furthermore there will be a focus on providing high quality green spaces that capitalise on biodiversity for all whilst meeting net zero requirements.
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The destination garden will:
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Generate income through ticket sales, season tickets and additional optional tours of the urban farm which will be conducted by the local people involved with the urban farm.
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TREE CORRIDORS
The green networks of the site will be enhanced by tree corridors that will help to provide carbon sinks and create habitats for flora and fauna. This enhanced green corridor will integrate all the different parts of the site and produce a cohesive and permeable development.
THE DOCK MANAGERS OFFICE
