Aldgate: A Twisted Ribbon Through the City of London by Carve
United Kingdom / Built in 2024 /
carve.nl
city and play
Aldgate, located in the heart of the City of London, could have easily become a space dominated by corporate use, where people rush through on their way to work or briefly spend lunch breaks glued to their phones. Without thoughtful intervention, it would have remained underused outside of peak hours. But Carve, in collaboration with Townshend Landscape Architects, saw on this site an opportunity for something more ambitious. Completed in 2024, Aldgate has been reimagined as a vibrant and playful urban destination: an unexpected meeting point; playful and open to everyone. It’s a place that refuses to be just one thing.
blurring boundaries
Among the highrise buildings is a twisted, brightly coloured ribbon that weaves through the landscape. It’s a fluid construction shifting in height, function, and shape as it moves, transforming continuously; from a bench into a crawling bridge, from table tennis to exercise equipment, from intimate hangout to vibrant stage for performances and role-playing games. At one moment it’s a spot for a solitary coffee break; the next, it’s a communal table for birthday celebrations.
This multifunctional sculpture erases distinctions between playground and public furniture, work and leisure, child and adult. It inspires curiosity: Is it for play or pause? For kids or colleagues? A relaxed hangout spot, or an outdoor space for informal work meetings? There is no right or wrong answer, it is all of these and more. The Twisted ribbon is versatile design, open to personal interpretation and multiple uses, across generations, cultures, and routines. It’s a space that pulses with the city’s energy; dynamic, engaging, and full of possibility.
brightening up the city
The ribbon’s bold red and orange hues bring the space to life, adding vibrancy and character, offering a vivid contrast to the surrounding architecture while harmonising with the urban greenery. In the cityscape, Aldgate acts as a visual landmark for those passing by.
challenges and perfect execution
The ribbon’s fluid twists posed serious technical challenges, particularly in how seamlessly connecting steel in smooth transitions. Thanks to close collaboration with the contractor, every join and junction was executed with precision, resulting in a sculptural form that appears effortless. Wooden seating inserts were integrated with equal care, inviting users to rest and interact.
Another challenge was how to navigate around the dense network of infrastructure beneath the project site, including cables, pipes, and a Victorian tunnel. All of this allowed our team to work together and successfully realize this unique element, transforming the space into something truly special.
from “corporate folks” to a truly inclusive place
Too often, public spaces in financial districts become afterthoughts, designed for fast-paced flow, not to stay, but Aldgate is an example of how to disrupt the pattern. At Carve, we believe that public spaces should do more than direct traffic. They should invite people to linger, to play, to connect. For us, embedding play is not a minor gesture, but a fundamental right. Cities should support joy, movement, and interaction at every stage of life.
Aldgate brings that vision to life. It breaks away from typical spatial categories, offering not a single function but many; open to many interpretations. It welcomes interaction without instruction and elevates the rhythms of daily urban life. Even in a district known for its corporate character, Aldgate stands as a bold and generous reminder that play and public life belong together. Whether you’re a CEO, a child, a cyclist, a street performer, or simply someone passing through, this space invites you to pause, to play, and to share a moment.
Project typology:
urban landscape, square, multifunctional sculpture, unconventional urban furniture.
All landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape:
Carve, Townshend Landscape Architects
All architecture offices involved in the design:
Carve, Townshend Landscape Architects
Other credits:
Design team: Elger Blitz, Mark van der Eng, Lucas Beukers, Dimitra Tsagalidou
Manufacturer: Ceeplay
Photo credits: Carve
