Crowning 11-21 Canal Reach, the primary new office for Meta in King’s Cross, is an inviting rooftop garden with clear views over central London. The 4,000 sqm landscape by LDA Design features long, whispering grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees.
Designed by architects Bennetts Associates, the new office elegantly follows the curve of the rail-side site. It has been designed with employee health and wellbeing front of mind, which is why the gardens are so important.
Roof gardens also have a significant role to play in greening our cities, providing vital habitat for under-threat insect and bird populations. In London, they now cover an area larger than Hyde Park.
The expansive roofscapes for 11-21 Canal Reach include eight separate terraces with high ecological value. Over half of the buildable rooftop area is richly planted, including meadow and biodiverse green/brown roof, making a key contribution to the building’s BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating.
“We have worked on shaping this incredible new roof space from concept through to completion,” explains Rob Charlton, LDA Design project lead for Canal Reach.
“Our design reflects the site’s industrial heritage, with a focus on species typically found alongside rail verges, as well as planting that will provide colour, texture and movement throughout the year. The aim was to create a landscape rich in biodiversity that reflects the environmental credentials of the building whilst providing a series of spaces for employees to use in different ways, for large gatherings or quieter moments.”
Photos by Hufton + Crow
