Rafter Walk, Canada Water

Project Info

This vibrant 170-metre-long pedestrian boardwalk winds across a restored wetland habitat, forming the centrepiece of the revitalised Canada Dock in London.

Inspired by the area’s maritime heritage—once a hub for timber imports from Canada and the Baltic – Rafter Walk reinterprets this legacy through a refined use of sustainably sourced tropical hardwood to form the deck, balustrades and sub-structure.

The bright red boardwalk’s defining feature is its sinuous geometry. With an S-curve in plan and three subtle undulations, the sculptural form creates a dynamic visual experience that echoes the movement of water. Curved fins cantilever from the sides of the bridge, emphasising the rippling architectural effect while referencing the historic timber rafters that once floated in the docks.

The deck boards, made of durable Cumaru, were pre-formed into cassettes off-site before being fixed onto timber bearers that span the primary steel structure. Each cassette was carefully engineered and assembled using specially designed, adjustable jigs to achieve the bridge’s curvature and undulations.

Representing an effective synthesis of form, engineering and environmental design, Rafter Walk showcases how timber and steel can work together in complex geometries to create public realm infrastructure that is both technically robust and deeply contextual.

Additional credits

Timber Specialist Design, Fabricator and Installer: Xylotek