It’s the result of a client
who wanted to go beyond
simply creating a practical
means of mooring this
sizeable vessel, to creating
a considered architectural
addition to the city
clear boundary from a second gangway
section more focused on efficient transport
of pedestrians – this boundary provided
both by the viewing platform, and the sheer
fact of the dramatic change in angle.
The result is almost to provide two piers,
given they have two distinct horizons for
users – the public promenade in particular
“draws upon ideas about British seaside
and river piers, and the open horizons you
get from them.” From the promenade,
there’s an uninterrupted view east towards
the Thames Barrier, thanks to the 162 m^2
triangular viewing platform being enclosed
with a frameless balustrade of “ultra-
transparent” glazing. Then as the pier heads
back westwards, there’s a view of
Greenwich and Canary Wharf, also gained
through the 4.5 metre glazed wall of the
covered waiting area.Experiencing the pier
The public promenade section is over 5
metres wide – considerably more than theminimum needed to get to and from a
pontoon. Dempsey says this will allow
people to linger and look while commuters
move past them. “You might have 50
people embarking or disembarking at rush
hour, so there’s space for people who might
already be there, moving at a slower pace.”
The promenade also has a generous wood
parapet designed for people to lean on; “it
invites pausing.”
The 65 metre long gangway is more
enclosed than the public space, to protect
commuters heading further out into the
river, with a steel roof. Diagonally arranged
aluminium battens which have been
powder-coated in a copper hue run along
the sides, continuing from the public
promenade section and echoing traditional
pier design. Rising above the parapet here
however to support the roof, the walls’
ability to let in daylight helps avoid a
claustrophobic feel while protecting users
from the elements. While narrower than the
public section, the space’s 4 metre height66PROJECT REPORT: TRANSPORT FACILITIES & PUBLIC REALMWWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK ADF FEBRUARY 2020
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