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 are now delivering the strategy and managing the commissions for Phase 1, 2, 3 and 7. FrancisKnight works in partnership with the design teams to enable the artist commissions to be fully integrated and embedded within the public realm.

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.

We are delighted to announce that we were shortlisted along with our associates LUC & BPTW, and artists, Christopher Tipping and Katayoun Dowlatshahi, for the Planning Awards 2023. Together, we were shortlisted for the award of best use of arts, culture or sport in placemaking category for our entry, Rochester Riverside Phases 1 & 2. There was an amazing response to entries, and the calibre of projects was exceptional, which made the competition extremely tough! So, we are extremely proud to have made it through to the shortlist. Winners will be announced on 8th June 2023.