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Reconnecting the River Lea

Kyla Li

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I’m a third year architecture student at Central Saint Martins with a deep interest in how design can create meaningful, lasting change. I’m drawn to projects that challenge conventional thinking and put people and the planet at the centre. My work is inspired by sustainable methods and community focused design that respond to real needs and possibilities.

I’m a third year architecture student at Central Saint Martins with a deep interest in how design...

For my project, I’ve been given the unique opportunity to rework the site of a current Arriva warehouse at the Walthamstow bus depot, Tottenham, located alongside the River Lea, a body of water that holds significant historical value but remains disconnected from the daily lives of the local community. The river, with its rich history, has long been an overlooked element in the area, and my goal is to transform this space into a location that allows us to finally reconnect with it.

By introducing features like boardwalks along the river, lush green spaces filled with vegetation, and designated fishing spots, I aim to create a sanctuary that invites locals to engage with and appreciate the natural environment. This initiative is not only about revitalizing the land but about rekindling our relationship with the river, promoting environmental stewardship, and respecting the local traditions that have long tied the community to the water.

The space will serve as a shared haven for local anglers and river cleaning volunteers, two key groups who are actively engaged in caring for the river and its ecosystem. The goal is to create a place where they can come together, share knowledge, and collaborate to ensure a healthier future for the river and its biodiversity, while offering the wider community an opportunity to explore and protect this vital natural resource.

Final work

My design emphasizes the relationship between the building and its surrounding landscape, connected through boardwalks and pathways. On-site ponds dee

Proposed Isomectric

My design emphasizes the relationship between the building and its surrounding landscape, connected through boardwalks and pathways. On-site ponds deepen this connection, fostering a stronger bond with the River Lea. Fishing huts are thoughtfully scattered along the river’s edge, blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings and enhancing the site’s engagement with the water.

  • Viewpoint from an indoor seating nook along the corridor, facing a window that overlooks the pond and the drainage-integrated planters and seating out
  • Drainage integrated seating outside the Waterside Exchange café, designed to manage surface water while providing a place for rest and social gatherin
  • Angler’s Fishing Shelter, a overed area along the river where local anglers can fish, dock small boats, and store equipment. Designed as a functional
  • The site plan illustrates the relationship between the different building types. The Waterside Exchange sits at the centre, serving as the main hub. T
  • The Waterside Exchange Long Section
  • Detail of The Waterside Exchange materiality and its water collection.
  • 1:20 Fishing Hut Section (front)
  • 1:20 Fishing Hut Section (Back)
  • 1:20 Fishing Hut Section (Interior)

Research and process

Fishing in Walthamstow: newspaper spread

Fishing in Walthamstow

This newspaper spread outlines all the fishing regulations in the Walthamstow area, providing essential information for local anglers. It also explores the potential of using the local fish population as a sustainable food source, highlighting opportunities and challenges within the community.

  • Existing Bus Depot
  • material Bank
  • Hemprete

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Reconnecting the River Lea

For my project, I’ve been given the unique opportunity to rework the site of a current Arriva warehouse at the Walthamstow bus depot, Tottenham, located alongside the River Lea, a body of water that holds significant historical value but remains discon...

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