The place

Built in 1850 as the coal store for Victorian London, the brick viaducts and long warehouses of Coal Drops Yard at King’s Cross were designed to handle the eight million tonnes of coal delivered to the capital each year from the north of England. As part of the wider King’s Cross Central development the buildings have been restored and reimagined by Heatherwick Studio to provide spaces for retail, restaurants and businesses, while the previously cobbled space between them has been resurfaced to provide a multipurpose public space for installations, performances and socialising.

The brief

Colourstream at Coal Drops Yard was commissioned by the developers Argent to bring an invigorating splash of colour to the new public realm in its first summer, and to guide visitors towards Coal Drops Yard from Granary Square. The scheme needed to be quick, simple and economical to source, install and maintain and offer strong, reliable colour in the public realm over a long season. Colourstream is to be delivered in two phases, the first of which takes the form of a temporary ‘pop-up’ which will be followed by a permanent installation.

The design

Our first phase design solution is a river of bright geraniums in shades of red and pink with mauve African daisies, planted in black recycled felt planter bags that reference the coal sacks of the Victorian era. The intention was to use plants that are familiar to everyone from hanging baskets and planters up and down the country, in a bold, graphic way. Part wayfinding and part horticultural installation Colourstream creates a vibrant heart to the new public realm.

We are currently preparing a permanent scheme for installation later in the year with bespoke planters designed in collaboration with designer Ian McChesney.