Exchange Square Park by DSDHA: Transforming Central London’s Elevated Public Realm

Exchange Square Park, designed by DSDHA, is a vibrant public park suspended above the busy tracks of Liverpool Street Station, nestled within the Broadgate campus, the largest pedestrianized public realm in Central London. Completed in 2022, this innovative urban landscape represents a seven-year collaborative effort to reimagine the spaces surrounding one of the UK’s busiest transportation hubs.

A Green Oasis in the Heart of the City

Reimagined as a lush, bucolic environment, Exchange Square Park introduces a generous green landscape that balances natural beauty with urban functionality. The design emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and multi-use potential, blending recreational zones with open-air working areas, retail opportunities, and informal meeting spaces. By accommodating different activities throughout the day, the park encourages extended visits beyond standard working hours, fostering a sense of community among office workers, shoppers, and nearby residents alike.

Addressing Past Challenges

Before DSDHA’s intervention, the site, developed in the 1990s, featured a central lawn enjoyed by visitors but suffered from design limitations. A large curved feature wall on the western boundary restricted visual connectivity, while the extensive northern steps leading to Exchange House, clad in monotonous pink granite, created an uninviting atmosphere. Level changes across the square, compounded by poorly designed ramps and stairways, hindered accessibility, and insufficient signage reduced the park’s legibility.

DSDHA’s redesign directly addressed these issues by enhancing permeability, creating clear sightlines, and integrating legible material transitions to aid neurodiverse users. The resulting design transforms the park into a welcoming and navigable space for all.

Prioritizing Well-Being, Biodiversity, and Community Engagement

Well-being, biodiversity, and accessibility were central to the design strategy. The 1.5-acre park now features a 14,000-plant collection spanning over 140 species, increasing biodiversity sixfold compared to the previous site. Around 25% of the park area is accessible green space, designed to accommodate visitors with wheelchairs and pushchairs.

An onsite gardener facilitates public engagement, offering educational opportunities and encouraging interaction with the park’s ecosystem. Engagement with tenants and local stakeholders also informed the park’s flexible design, supporting temporary and community-oriented activities such as Open Iftar events during Ramadan.

Enhancing Accessibility and Connectivity

A key focus of the redesign was improving access and circulation throughout the park. Comprehensive pedestrian movement analysis identified barriers such as steps, level changes, and poor signage. The solution involved unfolding the park across several gentle slopes and naturalistic levels, ensuring smooth passage for all users. Material contrasts and tactile cues guide neurodiverse visitors, while clear sightlines across the park enhance safety and comfort during day and night.

A Modern Public Space for a Dynamic City

Exchange Square Park exemplifies how thoughtful landscape architecture can revitalize urban public spaces, balancing environmental sustainability, social inclusivity, and vibrant programming. By integrating greenery, flexible activity zones, and user-centric design, DSDHA has created a dynamic urban park that enriches Central London’s Broadgate campus and serves as a model for future city-centered public spaces.

All photographs are works of  Daniel Fisher, Jim Stephenson