Bramcote Park
2022–
Assemble are working with Local Works Studio to refurbish Bramcote Park; a public park in South Bermondsey.
Since 2021, we have been working with Southwark Council to get to know the area and its communities better, building on existing community networks and making new relationships. We have been providing opportunities for local people to participate in meetings and workshops such as: forums for the local community to review the brief and share local insights and knowledge; Assemble Play and community events in the park; youth design meetings; gardening workshops; experimenting and making prototype features from recycled materials; planting workshops and community garden visits.
Our team’s approach to the improvement of Bramcote Park is to learn from and work together with local residents, children, manufacturers, trades and community leaders at all stages of the design and making process. We aim to make our collaboration mutually rewarding and purposeful for all those involved.
Bramcote Park has good bones. The transformation of the park is based on a thoughtful light touch – making the most of the park’s existing character and materials in order to reclaim its place as the neighbourhood’s welcoming, well-used, front garden. Building in care and maintenance of materials from the start by providing opportunities for participation in fabrication plays a key role in this.
The concept for Bramcote park is a ‘park of two halves’ comprising a biodiverse and climate resilient ‘forest garden’ and a robust, elegant ‘public square’. The whole site will be made up of a series of distinctive, characterful playable landscapes and the layout is designed to bring children into close contact with trees, and other plants, with interesting foliage, textures, smells and colours.
Existing planting within the park will be enriched with an abundance of edible and characterful plants from around the world. The diversity in structure and species will greatly enhance habitats for wildlife, whilst maintaining lines of sight from the street and a feeling of safe enclosure. There will be space in the design for future volunteer community gardeners to add to the simple structure, to cultivate, harvest and care for parts of the garden.
We are designing for reuse of existing materials from in and around Bramcote Park. Site won and locally sourced materials will provide a cohesive, sustainable palette for the park. Through a circular and localised approach to materials we will reduce the carbon footprint of the refurbishment; reduce HGV movements; reduce waste, contribute to the local economy, and through a program of workshops, aim to equip local young people with skills relevant to this emerging sector.