Located within a treed area of Kew Gardens is the elevated Treetop Walkway. The project was designed by Mark Barfield Architects and opened to the public in 2008. The walkway is 18m above ground level and provides visitors a birds eye view of the gardens and a walk through the tree tops. All structural elements of this intervention are of Corten steel, providing a ‘rusty’, weathered finish, one which feels natural in this environment.
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Overview
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Lift and Steps
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Corten Supporting Structure
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Walkway Supports
The supports to the walkway are few in number and their locations were carefully selected so as to miss the larger roots of the existing trees. They are supported by 18m deep piles (which have a small footprint) so as to minimise their impact on the existing tree roots. The supports are tree like in form, once again minimising the detrimental impact of this structure on the surrounding environment.
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Walkway Landing
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Walkway Resting Area
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Walkway View
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Walkway from Below
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Walkway with Shadows
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Walkway Zig Zag
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Structure Below Walkway
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Balustrade Structure
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Detail of Corten
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway, London – Detail of Walkway Bridge Connection
