Waterden Green Space for Teenage Girls

Waterden Green Space for Teenage Girls is a pioneering public-realm project in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, created through meaningful co-design with teenage girls and young women from the local area. Working with LLDC and Elevate Youth Voice, Studio Gil’s role is to act as spatial translators, turning the group’s priorities and lived experience into a clear brief, and then into safe, welcoming and empowering spaces for ages 12–18.

The project responds to a recognised gap in parks provision for teenagers, and particularly for girls, by creating flexible places to congregate, be visible, and feel they belong; with comfort, sociability and agency designed in from the outset.

Supported by London-wide policy ambitions around safety in public space, Waterden Green is already being shared as a case study for gender-inclusive design, and has been featured by sector and civic platforms including the Landscape Institute, GLA discussions, and built-environment press.