BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT
What is POWER PLANTS?
The Power Plants project was a phytoremediation demonstration garden, which sought to decontaminate soils while the White Bay Power Station (WBPS) site was awaiting redevelopment. The White Bay Power Station main building forms the backdrop to Garden 01. The project aimed to enable an educational, experimental urban living laboratory. Power Plants was envisioned as a pilot project which established precedent and documented processes for the treatment of contaminated brownfield sites.
Site location aerial.
Source: Nearmaps
Project site prior to project.
Image by Bader Al Moulah
SITE LOCATION
Garden 01 was located on the eastern side of WBPS and measured 100m long by 10m wide equalling 1000m2 in area. This site was primarily selected due to the presence of existing vegetation, which indicated the presence of adequate soil depth for planting a phytoremeditation garden. This site also was selected due to its north-easterly aspect, ease in access and its close proximity to the main building, which formed an evocative backdrop for the garden.
Along with the building the site was bordered to the north-west by the former settling & cooling ponds and rail yards, which were overgrown with vegetation. The southern and eastern sides were defined by a concrete retaining wall and stormwater drainage channel adjacent to an immense concrete hard stand and harbour beyond.
