The 4m-wide timber structure is also the first permanent part of British Land and pension fund AustralianSupers wider 4 billion development around the waterside plot in Southwark. This planned 21ha new district will comprise nearly 100,000m of shops and leisure space, 200,000m of workspace, up to 4,000 homes, a new park and a leisure centre as well as the first new high street in London for 100 years.Khans S-shaped pedestrian bridge no cycling is permitted is made almost entirely of wood, except for the foundations. This is a nod to the areas role at the heart of the international timber trade during the 19th and 20th centuries when Canadian timber was imported into the dock. The timber used has been sustainably sourced from Brazil and its red painted colour is a reference to Canadian maple leaves as well as the nearby Rotherhithe Bascule Bridge.The bridges deck height varies by nearly half a metre as it undulates across the dock. This has been inspired by the movement of rafters who historically hopped between floating deal planks across the water.AdvertisementThe project also features a series of steps down to the waters edge, new wetland habitats consisting of over 24,000 plants, shrubs, trees and perennials and waterside seating alongside an educational dipping pond designed by Townshend Landscape Architects. However, a planned pergola was dropped to create more open public space. Source:Brendan BellKhan said: Crossing water can give us powerful sensations. This boardwalk immerses us in a few moments of colour, nature and beauty. I want to evoke the crossing of time, too. I hope this gives someone a chance to take a breath and look at things in a new way. In todays world, I think this is more important than ever.Over 5km of timber, weighing 90 tonnes, has been used to build the boardwalk, its balustrades and handrails. The structure comprises over 400 cantilevered timber fins.Southwark Council approved Asif Khan and Townsend Landscape Architects plans for the boardwalk in 2022.At the time, its planners said the boardwalk would increase permeability in the area, adding that it would be an attractive feature, allowing people to enjoy views across the water.AdvertisementThe dropped pergola was planned to replace an existing jetty on Canada Water, covering 84m2, with a circular roof having a 14m span. It was also going provide access to the dipping pond for dipping nets and exploring waterside habitats. Source:Luke HayesArchitects viewCrossing water can give us powerful sensations. This boardwalk immerses us in a few moments of colour, of nature and of beauty. I want to evoke the crossing of time too. I hope this gives someone a chance to take a breath and look at things in a new way. In todays world, I think this is more important than ever.Asif Khan Source:Whitby WoodClients viewAsif Khan is a world-class architectural talent and he has created a striking new centrepiece at Canada Dock that will be used every day by the local community. The design is a fantastic tribute to the areas rich history. The boardwalk will connect people to both nature and the surrounding area.Canada Water is progressing at pace with the first phase of homes, workspace and retail completing in the coming months. Canada Dock provides us with a unique opportunity to create an interesting place for people to meet and socialise, especially on the southern edge where cafs and restaurants will spill out onto the dock in the future.Emma Cariaga, joint head of Canada Water, British Land Source:Whitby WoodEngineers viewThe double-curved 4m-wide boardwalk is designed in keeping with bridge codes and is curved in elevation and plan. Its steel beams typically span 8m between supports formed by pairs of driven steel piles, which are coupled by cross elements to form a ladder frame. Timber bearers support cassette decking panels, and steel fin plates connect architectural timber fins on the underside of the bridge. A straight link bridge connects the west dock edge to the centre of the main boardwalk. Whitby Wood used the bridges curves to manage the differing behaviours of steel and timber under dynamic loads and varying thermal conditions.A new dockside balustrade along the western edge of the dock has been designed with the advice of SH Structures, the principal steel fabrication subcontractor, to achieve the most economical approach. The design was informed by the uncertain nature of the existing dock wall coping stones (unreinforced concrete) to which the new balustrade is fixed.The Southern Steps area is founded on reclaimed land within the dock. This was achieved by installing sheet piling to form a new dock wall 10m inside the existing wall, along the southern boundary. The area behind the new wall has been infilled with stabilised soil, enabling the boardwalks south abutment and the Steps hard and soft landscaping to be founded on shallow ground-bearing foundations.Whitby Wood Source:Whitby WoodProject dataCompletion date November 2024Client Joint venture between British Land and AustralianSuperArchitect Asif Khan StudioProject manager AecomCost consultant Gardner & TheobaldSteel and timber connection design Whitby WoodMain contractor Galldris ConstructionMain subcontractor XylotekSubcontractor and steel fabricator SH StructuresLandscape design Townshend Landscape Architects