The Grosvenor Arboretum

In response to the invitation to reimagine Grosvenor Square in the heart of London, Whittaker Parsons proposed an urban arboretum with a mirrored raised walkway extending around the square.  The arboretum would boast a wide variety of shrubs and over seventy new tree specimens; more than doubling the number of trees in the existing square.

The raised walkway was conceived as a delicate piece of jewellery nestled amongst the new and proposed trees.  The mirrored structure would create a tour around the square’s existing structures, looping around the arboretum, creating unique viewing points and an elegant backdrop to the existing memorials.  A circular clearing is formed by the looping walkway, creating a flexible outdoor venue which can host a variety of events, incorporating elements such as lighting and a curtain to form a more intimate enclosure.