King Charles Street Quad by Gustafson Porter + Bowman

Built in 2023 / 2025 Built Landscapes / 2025 Campuses and Corporate / 2025 Entries / United Kingdom /
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Introduction

Wellbeing, re-use of materials, biodiversity, and accessibility are at the heart of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) quadrangle in Whitehall, adjacent to Downing Street in London.

The renovated quad is surrounded by a complex of mid-19th century government buildings, expressing a careful balance between the sobriety of the neo-classical facades and the rich decoration of the Victorian interiors.

The quadrangle has historically been used for ceremonial events and is intended to provide a space for the health and wellbeing of staff working in the multiple government departments it serves. It had however long been neglected, relegated to a car park when not undertaking ceremonial duties and facing settlement and drainage issues as well as acute accessibility challenges for users.

The FCDO was created in September 2020 through the merger of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID). Thus, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) embraced a unique opportunity to transform the quadrangle of their Grade I listed building into a space dedicated to people and plants.

The Covid pandemic has reinforced how important outdoor space is for mental and physical well-being. The design of the courtyard creates a place where staff and visitors can relax in a non-stressful environment with spaces for people of all abilities to enjoy. Priority is given to the pedestrian experience, while maintaining parking for staff, visitors, postal vehicles and vans. The courtyard has also been designed with flexibility in mind for formal events such as State visits, and Remembrance Day services.

Design

The design aims to respect and reinforce the key features of the building facades including the two major archways, entrances and storey heights. Referencing the buildings’ richly textured and patterned interiors, and inspired by the traditions of the Commonwealth countries, our concept balances both the organic and geometric nature of the design.

The landscape approach is inspired by the contrasting landscape movements and designers of the 19th century re-interpreted in a contemporary design of the quad. Key views across the space are framed through the structure of the planting which provides enclosure around garden rooms, but also easy access and a clear means of wayfinding. The design creates a balance between areas for everyday use and its processional character for state events.

Inspired by the organic patterns of the interiors of the building, the planting uses a loose, textured palette to complement the formality of the surrounding architecture. The selection of species references the garden history of the Victorian era in which the Foreign Office was built when formal versus natural planting was a common debate, whilst also responding to our 21st century environmental and cultural challenges.

Evergreen hedges respond to the formal architecture of the building and enclose the garden and frame the plaza area designed to accommodate outdoor events. The new garden enhances the architecture and gives moments to pause and appreciate the wonderful, listed buildings. The FCDO garden is visited by many foreign dignitaries and showcases the government’s commitment to creating healthy environments for people and a positive contribution to habitats for other species.

Sustainability and Biodiversity

Re-use of the existing materials including the pink and grey granite cobbles, kerbs and Yorkstone paving was a key part of the design. The re-use of stone on site reduced the amount of energy required in quarrying and transporting stone. Rainwater attenuation was also an important consideration. The increase in planting and soil means that rainwater is held on site for longer minimising the impact on the existing drainage system.

The courtyard reinforces the green links within the wider area by increasing habitat areas for birds and insects. The garden celebrates biodiversity through British flora, horticultural heritage, and acclimated plants from around the Commonwealth, providing a huge benefit in terms of biodiversity net gain and the strengthening of green corridors within Westminster.

Four Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Moraine’ frame the Downing Street archway and northern façade of the quad providing bright autumn colour. Carpinus betulus ‘A Beeckman’ frame the east and west facades. Within the garden Prunus x yeodensis, Malus ‘Evereste’ and Magnolia kobus provide fruit and flowering ornamental trees.

The Brief and Materials Used

The project exceeded the expectations of the client. The original brief was to rectify various technical issues while creating a space that people could enjoy with some planting. There were various drainage and subsidence issues identified in the Quad that needed to be urgently addressed. After the project was initiated, it became clear that the existing uneven cobbles would need to be lifted. Several options were explored, and a wide range of experts consulted to identify the best possible improvements to future-proof the space. Making it more accessible, environmentally sustainable and user-friendly were the key requirements. Transforming the quad into a beautiful new garden was a delight for everyone involved.

The Yorkstone paving immediately surrounding the facades is unchanged in character although the sub-bases have been re-made and the Yorkstone paving re-laid to take vehicular loading and improve drainage with the hard paving surfaces flowing into the existing channels. The Yorkstone paving in the two larger garden rooms was cut using CNC fabrication techniques to resemble the cellular structure of a leaf. The garden paths drain into the planting and the planting itself acts as a permeable surface where rainwater percolates back into the ground. In total some 900 m2 of paving, 1000 m2 of granite setts and 160 lm of granite kerbs were reclaimed from the site and re-laid.

The paved courtyard previously used for vehicle parking has been re-graded in order to create universal access. Parking is reduced to a minimum of 22 spaces with adequate room for long wheelbase vans for wheelchair users. Electrical charging points are provided within the parking areas. Tactile paving is fully integrated into the design to guide the partially sighted and wheelchair users, and the design incorporates a dog spend area for guide dogs.

Professional Collaboration

Gustafson Porter + Bowman worked together with FCDO Services in the project’s management which demanded the highest standard of delivery. There were considerable challenges working adjacent to a Grade I listed building. The design was developed in consultation with Westminster and Historic England. An archaeological survey was commissioned as part of this, and no serious obstacles were unearthed.

The King Charles Street Quad improvement project led by Gustafson Porter + Bowman has involved a number of consultants, lighting designers (Speirs Major), archaeologists and a specialist access consultant (Burdus Access). FCDO Services proactively engaged with multiple stakeholders as the project has progressed, including the office of the Permanent Under-Secretary, Westminster City Council, the FCDO’s Disability Inclusion and Awareness Network and the Downing Street Security Team. Working on the design detailing with David Burdus Access, the quad features many accessibility features including integrated guidance strips for the blind and partially sighted, edge detailing for long cane users and comfortable seating for wheelchair users as well as an area for guide dogs.

The project team met regularly to ensure communication with senior stakeholders and users of the Quad was informative and timely. The primary communication method was through the FCDO Intranet, where the team kept users of the space up to date with any changes that affected them. The project was successfully delivered with minimum noise and disruption.