Best International Project Award for Commonwealth Park
Commonwealth Park, Gibraltar
A community park designed by Nilufer Danis has been awarded Best International Project by Plant Magazine at their 2017 annual awards. The park was also shortlisted for the International Award at BALI National Landscape Awards 2015.’
Commissioned by the Government of Gibraltar and Landform Consultants, we helped transform the former carpark into a soft, green and highly sustainable world-class park within the heart of town. Our design included a striking lighting scheme that creates a dramatic effect at night and provides a truly open and safe space for park users 24 hours a day. The park is an important visual axis connecting the port area and Queensway to the city centre, and its location, juxtaposed against buildings, emphasises the importance of the city-park relationship.
BRINGING A COMMUNITY TOGETHER
As the first public park in Gibraltar, it was opened at an official ceremony by the President of Gibraltar. The event was extremely well attended and it was lovely to see the excitement as people came to the park with their picnic baskets and babies took their first steps on the fresh grass that had been so scarce in Gibraltar before now. Teenagers relaxed while children ran up and down on the hills and played football. Classical music was played from the band stage and it was clear to see how much everyone was enjoying their new landscaped park.
THE PLANTING SCHEME
The rich and interesting landscape includes Mediterranean style ornamental planting beds, 143 trees, a large area of grass, water fountains, grass mounds, permeable paved pathways, an artificial lake, a bridge, sculptures and a contemporary bandstand.
The multifunctional, lush grass areas of the park and the bandstand reflect traditional British parks, while the Mediterranean ornamental planting creates a natural link to the surrounding environment and climate. Due to Gibraltar’s geology, it is hard to find soil on the island. Instead of importing soil from other countries, we worked with well-known soil specialist Tim O'Hare to manufacture 3,000 m3 of topsoil in Gibraltar using recycled soil from local and reclamation areas.
This natural and interactive park in the heart of Gibraltar, which is flexible in use, changes from season to season to become an inspiring and cutting edge public green space.