On the 11th October 2017 Allen Pyke explored the extensive public realm of South Kensington as part of a CPD on Public Realm and Parks. Our route took us through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, looking at the management of large established landscapes and their successful range of planting and usable space throughout the seasons.

Natural play is encouraged throughout the park and particularly in the  Princess Diana Memorial Playground through the use of water, sound, texture and planting.

We also visited the  Diana Memorial fountain by Gustafson Porter+ Bowman which is also successfully encourages natural play and is a poignant piece of public art for reflection.

Our route incorporated the shared surface and public realm associated with Exhibition Road and the new V&A Museum courtyard entrance,looking at the benefits that pedestrian priority can provide in an urban setting.

In contrast to the urban form, the Natural History Museum Wildlife Garden and Darwin Centre Courtyard provided an alternative approach to nature in our cities.