Imperial College London

Delivering a connected campus landscape

Client

Careys / Imperial College London

Location

White City Campus, London

RIBA Work Stages

4-6

Services

Landscape Architecture

Overview

The Imperial College Infrastructure Delivery Phase A project forms a key component of the ongoing expansion of Imperial College London’s White City Campus. As part of the successful multidisciplinary delivery team, BoonBrown Landscape Architects were responsible for progressing the approved landscape proposals through technical design and construction, helping transform an ambitious vision into a high-quality public realm.

Working from RIBA Stages 4 to 6, the team developed and coordinated the landscape design across a complex infrastructure project centred around a new bridge connection spanning the London Underground railway corridor and the creation of new public spaces serving the growing campus

Translating Vision into Reality

The landscape proposals had originally been developed as part of the wider masterplan vision. BoonBrown’s role focused on taking these concepts through detailed design, tender and construction, ensuring the landscape could be successfully delivered while maintaining the design intent.

This required extensive coordination with architects, engineers, contractors and specialist consultants to integrate landscape elements within a significant infrastructure scheme. Careful detailing was essential to ensure the successful delivery of hard landscaping, planting, levels, drainage, structures, accessibility and public realm interfaces across the site.

Delivering a High-Quality Public Realm

The completed public realm creates a welcoming and accessible environment that supports both movement and occupation. High-quality paving, integrated seating, feature planting and generous pedestrian spaces establish a distinctive landscape character while providing places for interaction, relaxation and informal collaboration.

Particular attention was given to the relationship between infrastructure and landscape, ensuring that the bridge approaches and surrounding spaces function seamlessly as part of the wider campus environment. The resulting landscape helps transform a primarily movement-focused route into a memorable and engaging public destination.

Planting for Long-Term Impact

A key component of the delivery was the implementation of a robust planting strategy designed to provide year-round interest, biodiversity benefits and climate resilience. Layered planting, specimen trees and diverse perennial species soften the urban setting while contributing to the character and identity of the White City Campus.

The landscape establishes an immediate sense of maturity while providing a framework that will continue to grow and evolve as the campus develops around it.

Technical Delivery in a Complex Environment

Working within an active urban development zone presented significant coordination challenges. The landscape design had to respond to complex engineering requirements, bridge infrastructure, underground services and phased construction programmes while maintaining a cohesive and high-quality outcome.

Through detailed design development, technical coordination and site-stage involvement, the landscape was successfully delivered as an integral component of the wider infrastructure project.

At a glance

Scale

£40 million infrastructure and public realm project forming a key phase of the White City Campus development.

Design

New bridge connection, York Stone public realm, amphitheatre seating and landscape-led campus spaces.

Sustainability

Extensive tree planting, wildflower meadows and green infrastructure enhance biodiversity and urban greening.

Wellbeing

Flexible public spaces encourage movement, collaboration, relaxation and outdoor activity.

Community

Improved pedestrian and cycle connections strengthen links across the campus and wider innovation district.

Impact

Creating the infrastructure and public realm framework for one of the UK's leading centres of research and innovation.

Lasting Impact

The White City Campus landscape demonstrates the vital role landscape architecture plays in shaping successful infrastructure projects. By guiding the landscape through technical design and delivery, the project has created a connected, biodiverse and people-focused environment that supports Imperial College London’s long-term vision for growth and innovation.

Today, the public realm provides much more than movement infrastructure. It creates a welcoming landscape framework that encourages interaction, enhances wellbeing and establishes a strong sense of place at the heart of one of London’s leading academic and research destinations.