Butler’s Wharf Riverside Trust, in partnership with the NLA, launched an international design competition to reimagine one of London’s most historic riverside sites. The Ebb and Flow of Butler’s Wharf, led by Project Director Michael Cowdy, was awarded second place for its innovative and sensitive approach to heritage, ecology, and public realm design.

The proposal reimagines the iconic jetty through a modular ‘kit-of-parts’—including benches, planters, and play elements—drawing inspiration from the site’s maritime legacy and the tidal rhythms of the Thames. These adaptable components create a flexible, layered public space that enhances east-west movement, frames views to Tower Bridge, and introduces places for rest, interaction, and cultural activity.

Estuarine planting, ambient lighting, and interpretive features enrich biodiversity and reconnect people with the river’s natural and historic character. A phased, low-impact delivery model—using off-site fabrication and river-based logistics—supports incremental development and community involvement. The Ebb and Flow presents a contemporary vision for Butler’s Wharf: one that honours its industrial past while shaping a more inclusive, ecologically vibrant and resilient future for this important stretch of London’s riverside.