CORE DATUM EDGE installed
CORE case study · North Kensington, West London
Sweeping datum lines at Maxilla Gardens
560 linear metres of CORE DATUM EDGE shaped sweeping pathways through a community garden beneath the Westway.
- Client
- Westway Trust
- Sector
- Community landscape
- Location
- North Kensington, West London
- Completion
- Refurbished and opened in 2024
- CORE components
- CORE DATUM EDGE
Durable weathering finish
Adjustable connection system
Community landscape setting
A landscape shaped by its purpose.
Maxilla Gardens sits beneath the Westway flyover in North Kensington, on a site whose story is inseparable from the construction of the A40. In the 1960s, more than 1,000 residents were displaced and established streets were cut in half. The transformed landscape now acts as a tribute to the community’s resilience.
Led by community figures Tayshan Hayden-Smith and Danny Clarke, the project set out to reconnect people with nature and with one another. Gardens and hubs made from scaffolding and other reused materials reference the play spaces that once occupied the area; the pathways needed to connect these elements without losing the fluidity of the design.
The brief
What the project had to achieve.
Create durable, controlled landscape lines across a community garden with sweeping paths and changing levels beneath the Westway, while keeping installation efficient and disruption low.
- 01
Efficient installation
The edge restraint needed to be installed quickly and straightforwardly, limiting disruption across an active community-led site.
- 02
Adaptable geometry
Sweeping curves, changing levels and intricate angles demanded an edge that could be aligned and adjusted accurately on site.
- 03
A clean datum
The finished pathways called for a flush top edge and a polished appearance without visually intrusive connections.
- 04
Long-term material choice
Durability, recyclability and low ongoing maintenance were important to the sustainability-led brief.
The CORE solution
Selected around the site—not just the surface.
The Corten-steel CORE DATUM EDGE system used its modular bolt-together format and adjustable Datum Lock® connection to follow the intricate curves, angles and level changes.
CORE DATUM EDGE was selected in weathering Corten steel for its strength, adaptable profile and ability to create a clean, flush line. Its natural patina develops over time, helping the edging settle visually into the wider landscape while protecting the material.
The modular sections were bolted together and adjusted using the Datum Lock® system. This gave the installation team precise control over levels and alignment as the paths moved through tight curves and changing geometry beneath the flyover.
Compared with a traditional concrete edge, the lightweight system avoided curing time and reduced the need for heavy machinery and extensive groundwork. That installation method was particularly valuable on a project where speed, access and minimal disruption mattered.
Installation
How the system was installed.
- 01
Project-designed pathway formation
- 02
CORE DATUM EDGE Corten-steel profiles and rear connections
- 03
Ground pins and DatumLock level adjustment
- 04
Adjoining path and planted landscape finishes
The result
A total of 560 linear metres formed clean, fluid pathways through a revived community space designed for reflection, connection and growth.
Project outcomes
- Precise edge lines across sweeping curves and varying levels
- A fast modular installation with no concrete curing period
- A flush, visually continuous finish along the pathways
- A recyclable edge material designed to weather naturally over time
Project team
The people behind the project.
- Client
- Westway Trust
- Community project leaders
- Tayshan Hayden-Smith and Danny Clarke
- Location
- North Kensington, West London
- CORE system
- CORE DATUM EDGE
Technical downloads
Project and product documents.
Sources
Project sources.
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