23rd October 2008
Peninsula square
I went to visit peninsula square as it is the square I have chosen to study for the brief given for the Parklife module of the course. I found that the square wasn't very lively, which i was expecting really as i presume the main use of the square has a strong correlation to whats going on in the o2. And generally the main use for the o2 is as a venue for music gigs and evening entertainment with all the restaurants and a cinema as well as two venues. However i didn't think about the exhibition space which is used for a huge range of exhibits and is also obviously used throughout the day. There are several features to the square which are interesting but have no obvious link with each other. The most interesting of which (in my opinion) is the green wall. the green wall runs along the back of the square facing the O2 and is 7m high with a discreet water element running down the wall at equal intervals, and then along the bottom of the wall parrelell to the water running along the bottom is a small ledge which seems to be used mainly as seating. the major problem with the green walls is that it is not so green, the majority of the plants seem to have died and the only remaining ones, clearly the most hardy, are not the most vibrant colours (brown). But i really like the concept and the idea of it and it probably just needs more attentive maintenance and it would look fantastic. other features include a huge spire sculpture, an outdoor performance space, a covered walkway with story wall and three 'geyser' water features. The Geysers spurt random shoots of water 10m in to the air and also mist and bubbles, like a geyser. They are supposed to be a reference to the famous gasworks once on the peninsula and the industrial past of the area.
There are also pavement designs in lines across the square, supposedly representing the lie of the greenwich meridian line, unfortunately the meridian lies just west of the square itself although just about on the peninsula. i do like the individual aspects of design on the square but think they could tie in with each other better.
Photos i took on my visit. (top) The spire with the Dome in the background (middle) The green wall with the ledge seat and trees running along the side. (bottom) the square looking at the dome from the wall with the Geyser water features in the foreground
