Canada Dock’s Floating Red Walk by Asif Khan
Canada Dock is a 170m undulating boardwalk in London that merges history, ecology, and connectivity through Asif Khan’s evocative design. By Nikitha Sunil Vallikad
A striking scarlet structure glides across Canada Dock’s waters, where echoes of 19th-century timber trades now blend with the rustling of reeds and bird calls. Designed by Asif Khan, the 170-metre-long boardwalk reimagines the historic dock’s vibrant timber trade heritage while carving out a contemporary sanctuary for nature and community alike. Part of the ambitious Canada Water masterplan, this landmark is more than just a bridge—it’s a narrative told through undulating wood, evolving ecosystems, and collective memory.
“Crossing water can give us powerful sensations,” says Khan. “This boardwalk immerses us in moments of colour, of nature, and of beauty. I want to evoke the crossing of time too.”
A Design Rooted in History
In its heyday, Canada Dock bustled with the rhythmic dance of “deal porters” carrying pine planks from Canadian forests to build London’s growing skyline. Inspired by their deft movements across timber gangways, Khan’s design echoes this interplay of balance and flow. The gently curving form of the boardwalk mimics the bowing of planks under weight, while its vibrant red hue nods to the “deal” woods’ natural tones. This chromatic intervention transforms the dock into a living chronograph—a space where every step across the timber bridge revisits the past.
The details are as deliberate as the concept. Constructed with 90 tonnes of sustainably sourced FSC-certified timber, the boardwalk’s 400 cantilevered fins curve and undulate, evoking the rhythm of waves and movement of workers. The height of the deck varies subtly, offering users changing perspectives of the dock and surrounding wetlands.
A Stage for Nature
At its core, the boardwalk prioritises ecological balance and biodiversity. Designed in collaboration with Townshend Landscape Architects and the London Wildlife Trust, the project creates a mosaic of habitats aimed at fostering local flora and fauna. Seven floating wetland islands, over a kilometre of shallow water edges, and 24,000 planted trees and shrubs redefine the dock as a vibrant ecological hub.
Gary Alden of Townshend explains, “At Canada Dock, we had an incredible opportunity to reverse ecological decline and create an environment where people and nature are better connected.”
Reed beds and flowering plants now invite dragonflies, butterflies, and frogs, while nesting spaces attract swans and kingfishers. Even urban visitors can pause to observe ducks diving in the dipping pond or spot dragonflies darting between reeds.
A Community-Focused Vision
Beyond its ecological mission, the boardwalk establishes Canada Dock as a people-centric space. Fully accessible and accommodating wheelchairs and buggies, the bridge links various zones of the dock seamlessly. It encourages exploration, offering new ways to experience nature without disturbing it. The southern edge of the dock, envisioned as a vibrant hub with cafés and seating, invites community gatherings and reflection.
Emma Cariaga, British Land’s joint head of Canada Water, highlights its significance: “Asif Khan has created a striking new centrepiece that will be used every day by the local community. The boardwalk connects people to both nature and the surrounding area, honouring the dock’s rich history.”
The Role of Collaboration in Revitalisation
The Canada Water masterplan, spanning 53 acres, is a collaborative effort to redefine urban living while respecting ecological and historical legacies. British Land and AustralianSuper have worked with local councils, architects, and conservationists to ensure sustainable development. The masterplan includes 2–4,000 homes, 2 million sq ft of workspace, and 12 acres of open green spaces. The boardwalk is just the first step in transforming Canada Dock into a vibrant nexus of history, ecology, and modernity.
David Mooney, CEO of the London Wildlife Trust, calls the project a model for sustainable urban development: “If every developer worked for nature’s recovery as much as this, the environment would be in a much better state.”
A Contemplative Crossing
For Asif Khan, the boardwalk is as much about reflection as connection. “To walk on it is to connect across time to the movements and histories of people who worked with timber on this dock,” he says. By merging form, rhythm, and abstraction, the structure blurs the boundaries between past and present. It becomes not just a crossing but a contemplative journey—where the stories of timber rafters and deal porters meet the modern rhythms of urban life.
Asif Khan’s boardwalk is a striking reminder that design can serve as a bridge between worlds—nature and city, past and present. Its success lies in balancing these elements without compromising one for the other. Yet, as London’s urban sprawl continues, questions remain about how long such pockets of nature-first architecture can hold their ground against increasing development pressures.
This bold scarlet path offers an answer: it’s not just about preserving the past or protecting the environment—it’s about weaving them into the fabric of everyday life. As communities tread its rhythmic planks, they are invited to ask: What will we choose to remember, and what will we create next?
