Canary Wharf covers an area of 97 acres three miles to the east of the Bank of England in the City of London. The development comprises twenty four separate office and other buildings, three stations, several car parks and approximately 20 acres of landscaped open spaces. Synonymous with fine architecture and design, it is arguably one of the most highly specified urban areas in the world.

This large landscaped estate provides a relaxing and healthy environment for office workers and visitors. Stringent design guidelines ensure cohesive architectural expression and have succeeded in setting a standard of excellence throughout the entire development. This project is a fine example of how client, architect and manufacturer can work together to turn initial concepts into practical, functional and sustainable products.

Woodhouse have been supplying Canary Wharf since 1989, initially with a range of custom built exterior road lighting based on concepts developed with the Chicago based SOM architectural practice. The F30 exterior luminaire is the predominant fixture, having been selected for many key areas. These luminaires have unique cast aluminium embellishments that exhibit the original Canary Wharf master plan and are then finished in a special colour developed with Canary Wharf's architects.

For the phased extension of Canary Wharf southward towards Heron Quay and South Quays, SOM engaged Woodhouse to develop bespoke stainless steel and glass custom fixtures, including Dock Edge, Tulip Light stacks complemented with visually cohesive anti-ram bollards.

Custom made from just concept designs by SOM, this is a unique amenity light fitting is expertly manufactured from 316 grade brushed stainless steel. To illuminate Bank Street effectively, the Tulip uses two lamps. One lamp is situated in the base of the column to provide attractive marker lighting through the perforations in the main column; the upper lamp provides area illumination from the shaped diffuser. To complement this and ensure a unified landscape, Tulip Bollards were also developed, but had the unique challenge of concealing a solid steel core to resist ram-raiders.

The Dock Edge fixture is perhaps the most unusual amenity light custom made for Canary Wharf. Lining the waters edge like miniature lighthouses, the fixtures are constructed entirely in 316 grade bead blasted and electro polished stainless steel and stand some 2 metres above the dock wall. A soft diffused light emanates from all sides of the fixture and four jewel-like cobalt blue square glass lenses complete the design and help create a stunning visual effect, especially in hours of darkness.

Designed by renowned Belgian landscape architects Jacques and Peter Wirtz, Jubilee Park is a key green space at Canary Wharf and was and it is illuminated by a series of Geo Asymmetric Parklights to ensure that the informal six-acre undulating landscape looks stunning from day into night.

An indirect amenity lighting fixture, these fittings provide a soft, uniform and glare-free lighting distribution with excellent colour rendition

The development also featured a number of lighting and complementary street furniture products from Woodhouse standard ranges, including Geo Park lights and Discs, bollards and tailored signage. Using the Woodhouse expertise in stainless steel, Pig Tail bike stands were designed and specified. To contrast these stone and steel landscape elements, Escofet Icaria planters have been planted attractively and softening the urban area but covertly filled with concrete to help add a base level of vehicle security to the area.

In Canada Square, Woodhouse has also designed and manufactured special stainless steel and glass bus shelters developed by specialist consultants, Muller Design of Toronto. These shelters support a unique way-finding and signage system.

As CCTV is becoming a necessary feature of modern British urban landscape, a number of Woodhouse columns at Canary Wharf are manufactured with special brackets to accept the latest type of cameras. Where possible, the cameras are fitted to columns already serving other purposes, through innovative adaptive bracket systems.

With so many products selected for the various phases of Canary Wharf, the entire area has become a virtual showroom for Woodhouse's design and manufacturing competence. But this "showroom" is not only a place where our products are exhibited in experimental or laboratory isolation; they are also being used as intended, in all weather conditions - testing the materials, engineering and build quality extensively.