Feb 26, 2026
Week 18–19 – From Masterplan to Detail
Shifting from large-scale intent to technical resolution, where material choice, section and construction logic begin to define whether the project can truly operate.
Technical
Flow
Moving away from revision and into resolution.
Across these two weeks, the emphasis moved decisively away from the masterplan and toward detailed resolution. A key point raised in discussion with Peter was that continued revision of the masterplan was beginning to limit progress. Each time I attempted to develop detailed drawings, changes to the overall design would render them obsolete, preventing any meaningful technical development.
The advice was to stabilise the design and step away from further masterplan revision, allowing detail work to progress. Week 18 acted as a moment of consolidation, while Week 19 clarified the next stage: testing the project through sections, materials and systems. This shift reframes the project entirely, from something speculative and diagrammatic into something that must now prove itself through construction logic and environmental performance.
Material
Developing a controlled freshwater system through storage, attenuation and reuse.
Discussions with Duncan focused on strengthening the hydrological system across multiple scales. The large reflective basin was compared to precedents such as the Bordeaux Water Mirror, where a shallow, controlled surface of water provides both visual reflection and interactive potential. This reframed the basin as both a technical and experiential device, requiring precise level control, consistent water depth and reliable circulation systems.
We also explored the use of Permavoid systems as a subsurface solution for water storage. These modular void-form structures can store rainwater beneath surfaces such as green roofs or paved areas, allowing it to be reused for irrigation or for interactive water features such as pumps. This supports a closed-loop water strategy, where rainfall is captured, stored and reintroduced into the landscape rather than discharged.
Understanding site contours was identified as critical to resolving water movement. Without accurate level data, it is not possible to determine how water flows, where it collects or how it can be redirected. This directly informs the positioning of attenuation features, channels and overflow systems.
We also discussed integrating attenuation tanks alongside features such as MUGA courts, storing excess water that can later be reused. These systems must be sized based on catchment calculations and linked to the wider drainage network to ensure both performance and resilience.
Detail
Resolving material, structural and ecological interfaces at key moments.
The focus on detail extended to multiple site elements. Peter emphasised the need to define material palettes, planting strategies and pathway systems, ensuring consistency and performance across both ground-level and elevated conditions. This includes distinguishing between permeable ground surfaces and elevated decking systems, as well as resolving transitions between them.
Duncan added further depth by referencing estuary edges at Greenwich Peninsula as precedents for designing interventions along the Thames. These examples highlight how hard infrastructure can meet tidal or river conditions while still supporting ecological function. This is particularly relevant for refining the waterfront condition within my site.
We also discussed MUGA construction details, including surface build-ups, drainage layers and structural sub-bases. These must integrate with the broader water strategy, ensuring that runoff is captured and directed into storage systems rather than lost.
Finally, key moments such as the mound housing the bike workshop and café require detailed sectional resolution, including drainage, structural support and how the built form interacts with surrounding landscape and water systems.
Reflection
These weeks marked a necessary transition from design exploration to technical accountability. The project is no longer being tested through new ideas, but through its ability to function as a system. Water management, material choice and sectional clarity now define its strength. Stabilising the masterplan has allowed detail to emerge as the primary driver, ensuring that ambition is supported by buildable and measurable logic.