Rochester Riverside

Recreating rich layers of history as a celebration of place at Rochester Riverside.

FrancisKnight produced the public art strategy for Rochester Riverside development, which formed part of the planning submission for the £400 million development for Rochester Riverside. They have now delivered the strategy and commissions for Phase 1, 2, 3 and 7. FrancisKnight worked in partnership with the design teams at BPTW and LUC to enable the artist commissions to be fully integrated and embedded within the public realm and landscaping. Artists Katayoun Dowlatshahi and Christopher Tipping were appointed to create embedded artworks that contribute to placemaking and wayfinding, using research and exploration of the riverside location, ecology, its history and culture.

The development adjoins Rochester’s historic town centre and the railway station, and will consist of up to 1,400 homes, of which 25% will be affordable housing, transforming the 74-acre (30 hectare) site by providing a new primary school, nursery, hotel, bar and restaurant, gym, healthcare facilities, office space and a number of retail units, together with 10 acres of open space including a 2.5km riverside walk.

Shortlisted for the award of best use of arts, culture or sport in placemaking category, the Planning Awards 2023.