Barn Elms Ecological Kiosk by Arup

arn Elms Ecological Kiosk – Integrating Landscape, Architecture, and Ecology

The Barn Elms Ecological Kiosk represents a landmark in the fusion of landscape architecture and architecture into one unified, ecologically responsive form. Designed by Arup as part of the wider £5 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel project, this small yet visionary structure exemplifies how critical infrastructure can transcend utility to become a meaningful part of the natural and cultural landscape.

Functioning as a housing for essential mechanical and electrical systems that intercept the West Putney storm relief combined sewer overflow, the kiosk plays a vital role in preventing sewage pollution from entering the River Thames. Yet it is much more than a piece of functional infrastructure. It is a testament to interdisciplinary design — where landscape, architecture, engineering, ecology, and art come together to form a cohesive, future-forward response to environmental and urban challenges.

At the core of the kiosk’s design is the seamless integration of building and habitat. The façade, approximately 100m² in area, comprises two interwoven systems: a biodiverse gabion wall and a laser-cut anodised aluminium rainscreen cladding. These elements are not treated as separate components but are conceived as one integrated skin — a hybrid envelope that mediates between ecological performance and architectural expression.

The biodiverse wall system reimagines gabion construction by transforming it into a vertical habitat. Filled with a mix of natural and waste materials, the gabions offer refuge for solitary bees, invertebrates, spiders, beetles, and birds. Unlike traditional green walls, this system requires no irrigation, has superior fire performance, and delivers long-term ecological value with a design life of 50–120 years. The wall’s ecological richness is a result of extensive collaboration between landscape architects, ecologists, structural engineers, and suppliers — all contributing to a first-principles approach that identified target species and designed habitats specifically to support them.

The rainscreen cladding, fabricated from 6mm-thick anodised aluminium, serves dual purposes: it ventilates the internal equipment and functions as a public artwork. Commissioned from British artist Adam Chodzko, A Way from Heaven draws on the Elizabethan-era Babington cipher, embedding layers of historic and cultural memory into the contemporary language of the façade. The laser-cut text appears as if inscribed in quill and ink, linking the site not only to its environmental context but also to a deeper narrative of human history.

This integration of art, ecology, and infrastructure is underpinned by careful material choices and construction detailing. Locally sourced stone and organic matter reduce carbon emissions and promote a circular economy. All components were designed with deconstruction and reuse in mind, extending the material lifecycle and ensuring adaptability for future use. The team also engaged in detailed prototyping and trials to validate the technical performance and ecological viability of the façade systems, pushing the boundaries of conventional cladding approaches.

Above the structure, a brown roof provides additional biodiversity value, acting as an ecological corridor to nearby green spaces such as the London Wetland Centre. Around the kiosk, a wildflower meadow and installed bird, bat, and hedgehog boxes enrich the site’s ecological function, while offering moments of biophilic engagement for visitors walking the adjacent footpath along Beverley Brook.

The building’s curved form, inspired by the flow of the brook, reinforces its embeddedness in the landscape. By orienting access doors toward the operational site and ecological elements toward the natural surroundings, the design ensures minimal human disruption while visually and functionally aligning with its setting. This sensitive choreography of form, orientation, and habitat placement exemplifies how Landscape and architecture can speak the same language.

Critically, the project serves as a replicable model for ecological infrastructure. Its success is rooted in robust research, stakeholder engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Ecological surveys informed the design team’s understanding of habitat gaps and species needs. Passive ecological structures like dry-stone walls inspired the gabion system. And ongoing research with Greenwich University aims to further understand and quantify colonisation success, demonstrating a long-term commitment to ecological monitoring.

The Barn Elms Ecological Kiosk challenges the assumption that infrastructure must be hidden or purely functional. It proves that landscape architecture, when in true dialogue with architecture, can elevate even the most utilitarian structures into celebrated ecological assets. Through its fusion of sustainable engineering, ecological integrity, and artistic depth, the kiosk offers a compelling case for the future of landscape and architectural integration — one where habitat creation, cultural resonance, and environmental stewardship are inseparable.

• Other landscape architecture offices involved in the design of the landscape:
Arup, in collaboration with Atkins

• Architecture offices involved in the design:
Arup, in collaboration with Atkins

• Other credits:
This kiosk was designed on behalf of Tideway

more by Arup

8 Bishopsgate by Arup

Chang Yul Park by Arup

Hotel Park, Doha, Qatar