danica o. kus captures asif khan's canada water boardwalk, london

danica o. kus captures asif khan’s canada water boardwalk

In her latest photo series, Slovenian photographer Danica O. Kus turns to the Canada Water boardwalk — a 170-meter-long timber structures that floats above the water’s surface and weaves a vivid pathway in London. Designed by Asif Khan as part of the expansive Canada Water masterplan, the pedestrian bridge extends from the Canada Water Library and Station to the Surrey Quays shopping center, appearing as a winding ribbon.

Its sinuous curves, bold red hue, and wooden slats — a nod to the site’s history of Victorian trade — become the muse for Kus. Her evocative imagery captures the structure under the clouds, gently illuminated at night, and glistening under the rain, bringing to life its relationship with both its urban and ecological surroundings.

all images by Danica O. Kus

the timber bridge winds through, leading a trail of red

British architect Asif Khan integrates the Canada Water boardwalk into its urban environment as a community space with a deep respect for the area’s historic character, as well as the existing biodiversity that thrives there. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Surrey Docks were central to London’s timber trade, bustling with rafters and deal porters who hopped between floating timber planks.

‘Crossing water can give us powerful sensations. This boardwalk immerses us in a few moments of color, of nature, and of beauty. I want to evoke the crossing of time too. I hope this gives someone a chance to take a breath and look at things in a new way,’ shares Khan. Danica O. Kus’ photographs capture this sense of immersion and further echo this idea of movement, highlighting how the boardwalk mimics these historical crossings with its distinctive red timber surface.

Asif Khan’s Canada Water boardwalk

resting above the water, the structure preserves local biodiversity

Yet, Kus’s perspective isn’t solely about the past. Her photographs reveal a seamless intertwining of history and modern ecological innovation. The Canada Water Boardwalk hovers above the water and rests on a series of timber fins in order to enhance biodiversity, creating a mosaic of wetland habitats that attract dragonflies, kingfishers, frogs, and other wildlife. Kus was particularly drawn to the lighting design, she tells designboom, which minimizes wildlife disruption while enhancing the boardwalk’s aesthetic appeal — a dual purpose her lens vividly frames.

a 170-meter-long timber structures that floats above the water’s surface