Image by kind permission ©John Sturrock
Pancras Square (United Kingdom)
2nd Prize
Close to London’s St Pancras Station, Pancras Square forms part of the 72-acre King’s Cross redevelopment with over 40% of public open space. Pancras Square, a 4.000 sqm ‘outdoor room’, has a strong sense of place inspired by the atmosphere of a continental town square with areas of lawn, lush planting and a cascading water feature.
Marked by a majestic Pin Oak tree, the layout accommodates spaces and routes that allow a range of activities for all users, as well as providing attractive access to building entrances, and inclusive, useable sub-spaces for relaxing.
As a centre piece to the square, a water feature gently cascades downhill emphasizing the change in level and providing sound and movement. A variety of tree species introduces scale and filters views. Combined with hedges, planting and lawns this green environment provides subtle and regular displays of colour at different times of the year as well as evergreen structure.
