Australian architect Andrew Burns has unveiled a new public garden in London which as part of the Cityscapes Festival which sees garden installations take place throughout London's Southbank area which also coincides with the London Festival of Architecture.
Burns transformed 'Gibbon's Rent' which is a former under-used bypass in the London Bridge area after he won a competition organised by The Architecture Foundation, a London based non-profit agency for contemporary architecture which wanted to revitalise this area for the local community.
He was given the opportunity after a competitive process that asked three practices to propose ways to transform the London site. A jury selected Burn's proposal for implementation and he has since worked on the scheme with landscape expert Sarah Eberle.
Ariel view of the garden Andrew Burns and Sarah Eberle
"Andrew and Sarah's design transforms the forgotten piece of public space into a sociable garden made up of a growing collection of potted plants and seating to allow people to sit down, relax and enjoy an oasis of calm just metres from the hustle and bustle of Tooley Street and London Bridge Station." 
Burns and Eberle said that central to their scheme is for people to be encouraged to contribute to the landscape of the garden by donating a plant therefore involving local businesses, residents and visitors in the project.
Burns said:
"I am delighted to be working on this project together with Sarah Eberle. Having taken part in The Architecture Foundation's New Architects: Australia UK exchange programme, I am pleased to be involved as a result in delivering a permanent project in London. We believe that our vision for Gibbon's Rent will not only provide a strong identity for the site, but will also allow and in fact relies upon long-term community engagement with the space."
