Royal Docks Ideas competition

THE ECOSYSTEM ENGINES

Resonating with the industrial heritage of the Royal Docks, clusters of gear-shaped pontoons flow across the water. They are connected by floating pathways – appearing like chains from above – allowing visitors to traverse, linger, sit, cycle, play or explore. The cogs attenuate, clean and store rainwater and host a variety of wildlife habitats – a full range of ecosystem services provided by this multi-functional green infrastructure. Cogs and chains can also be moved or unhooked to allow for the passage of boats. Each of the varying sized cogs is characterised by a particular habitat type – including wet woodland, reed beds, ponds, marsh, flower-rich brownfield habitats, waterfowl nesting rafts, and pontoon-underside fish refuges. Some of the pontoons remain isolated to shelter shy wildlife.

Rainwater (and grey water potentially) will come from roofs and buildings, through terrestrial rain gardens and onto the pontoons, flowing from one to another. Eventually, clean water will overflow into the dock or can be stored in tanks for use in irrigation or toilet flushing.

The number of pontoons can be increased as sponsors are found or in response to development – the concept is scalable and modular. Clusters can be located throughout the docks according to demand and opportunity. The Ecological Engines provide green infrastructure without loss of dockside development plots and will mean that the open water of the docks can provide more amenity without any loss of grandeur.