GeordieCraig
Sackler Crossing - Kew Gardens
Cross processed mono of the Sackler Crossing at Kew Gardens.
Director Sir William Hooker commissioned the Lake to provide an “open flow of water through a portion of the Pleasure Grounds”. It was created in 1856 in an area being excavated to provide gravel for terracing the new Temperate House. Surplus gravel was used to fashion four islands in the lake. After William’s son Joseph took over as director, he extended the lake and softened its edges with new vegetation, saying he was “trying to make our very ugly lake an ornamental piece of water with a gang of 50–60 navvies”.
In 2006, Kew installed the first ever bridge across the lake. Named the Sackler Crossing, in honour of philanthropists Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler whose donation made it possible, it was designed by the architect John Pawson and is located just west of the lake’s most easterly island. The striking black granite walkway carries visitors low over the water along a curving path that mimics the lake’s rounded banks. Its walls are a series of vertical, flat bronze posts. On approaching the bridge, these give the appearance of forming a solid wall but when viewed sideways on they appear almost invisible. This is akin to the ways in which water can appear both solid and fluid.
Sackler Crossing - Kew Gardens
Cross processed mono of the Sackler Crossing at Kew Gardens.
Director Sir William Hooker commissioned the Lake to provide an “open flow of water through a portion of the Pleasure Grounds”. It was created in 1856 in an area being excavated to provide gravel for terracing the new Temperate House. Surplus gravel was used to fashion four islands in the lake. After William’s son Joseph took over as director, he extended the lake and softened its edges with new vegetation, saying he was “trying to make our very ugly lake an ornamental piece of water with a gang of 50–60 navvies”.
In 2006, Kew installed the first ever bridge across the lake. Named the Sackler Crossing, in honour of philanthropists Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler whose donation made it possible, it was designed by the architect John Pawson and is located just west of the lake’s most easterly island. The striking black granite walkway carries visitors low over the water along a curving path that mimics the lake’s rounded banks. Its walls are a series of vertical, flat bronze posts. On approaching the bridge, these give the appearance of forming a solid wall but when viewed sideways on they appear almost invisible. This is akin to the ways in which water can appear both solid and fluid.