New Kent Road, Southwark

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a developer client to prepare two packages of landscape architect ‘s information to support two separate detailed planning submissions. The plot is a brownfield site and is currently occupied by a commercial building and an area of hard standing. Its southern elevation fronts onto the busy New Kent Road, close to the Brick Layers Arms roundabout.

The plot is approximately square in shape; with an existing school playground to its north; a commercial building to its west; a terrace of Victorian houses to its east and the New Kent Road to its south. Within the footway of the New Kent Road, just outside of the plot boundary, one significant tree is located.

The two landscape designs prepared by us were for student accommodation located above a flexible working space and a hotel located above a flexible working space. The landscape design for both proposals focused on the ground floor parking, green courtyard, pedestrian circulation and access arrangements; Level 1 extensive green roof; and Levels 4, 6 and 8 communal gardens.

Comments from the Local Authority and those following a Design Review Panel presentation were integrated into our landscape design. A significant number of climbers were added to the elevations of the building at all levels and appropriate robust planters were located accordingly. The climbers were intended to help minimise the visual impact of the building when approached from the flyover to the Brick Layers Arms roundabout and to provide additional ecological benefits.

The edge detail of the communal gardens were carefully considered by our landscape architects so as to minimise the potential for overlooking to the school playground and to the terrace of houses. This was achieved by setting back the pedestrian areas from the building edge and introducing appropriate raised planters with planting into this zone. Within these planters, bespoke benches were set, facing away from the building edge. At Level 8 a pergola structure with climbers was integrated in the landscape design to provide some shading and a sense of enclosure in this exposed location.

The proposed planting was carefully selected to suit its specified location. The communal roof gardens planting was selected to thrive in this exposed roof top environment. The planting to the small ground floor courtyard space was suitable for this tranquil, shady space.

Evolve Ph1, Colchester, Essex

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a developer client to prepare landscape architect ‘s information to satisfy landscape related reserved matter conditions for this consented outline scheme. The plot is located on a green field site at the northern edge of Colchester, adjacent to the A12. Our appointment was limited to the southeastern section of the plot, including the communal access road. This portion of the consented scheme was 1.5ha in area and included 90 small business office units and associated infrastructure.

The plot is approximately rectangular in shape. It has an existing hedge that contains occasional trees to its east and south boundaries; a commercial building to its north boundary and open field to its west boundary. Parallel to the west boundary, offset by approximately 40m, is a significant line of existing mature trees. All these trees, with one exception, are considered to be Category B in accordance with BS 5837:2015 “Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations”. Our landscape architects were expected to provide a landscape design which contained relevant information sufficient to satisfy the condition associated with the continued healthy growth of theses trees. This particularly related to the nature and build up of the paved surface within their root protection areas (RPAs).

Our landscape design considered a number of issues critical to the functioning of this site. These included vehicular movement through the site, providing the required number of parking spaces (including disabled), safe pedestrian movement throughout the site and the introduction of structural landscape planting. It was essential that full Part M compliant pedestrian access could be provided throughout the site.

The soft landscape specified for this project aimed to be as beneficial to wildlife as possible. The planting specified was a mixture of structural ornamental planting and wild life friendly/ native species.

Maritime House, Clapham, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a asset manager client to prepare an initial landscape design for client and design team sign off for this office refurbishment project. We then prepared a landscape package of planning information, tender information and construction status landscape architect ’s information. Once the project was under construction we were required to attend site at critical times.

The area requiring our landscape architects input was approximately rectangular in shape and located in the Clapham Conservation Area. It is bound by the building, two private pedestrian footpaths and a public footpath to the front of the plot. The exiting wall and coping to the front of the plot were to be retained.

The existing building is set back from the wide public footpath, providing sufficient space for occasional in out vehicular access within the pedestrian zone. This access provides an allowance for occasional necessary deliveries and drop off. A clearly defined pedestrian route bisecting this space was proposed by our landscape architects, providing a direct pedestrian route from the public footway to the main building entrance.

Due to the significant level change between the public footpath and main building entrance, Part M compliant access was considered carefully within our landscape design. A direct stepped access was provided to the main entrance and was defined by a different paving material. A ramped accesses was provided on one side of the main entrance.

The detail between the existing building and the proposed Part M compliant ramp needed to be carefully considered by our landscape architects as the existing air bricks to the building were below the proposed paving level.

Planting beds with trees were specified to the perimeter of the paved areas helping our landscape architects to deal with the level changes across the site and provide an attractive setting for this historic building.

Brunel House, Portsmouth Harbour

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a developer client to prepare a landscape design for this permitted development in a seafront location, adjacent to Portsmouth Harbour railway station. We were then tasked to prepare a tender status landscape architect ’s package information. The client’s intention was to convert a former office building into commercial units at ground floor with residential dwellings above.

The area requiring landscape architect ‘s input was approximately triangular in shape and was bound by the building, a footpath to The Hard road and a small building, to the north of the plot boundary. A significant existing tree is located just outside of the southwest plot boundary, within the public footway.

The existing building is set back from the main road, providing sufficient space in front of the proposed ground floor commercial units for in out vehicular access. This access provided an allowance for customer drop off, service vehicles and deliveries. Our landscape design incorporated a crossing to this vehicular access, providing a direct safe pedestrian route from the public footway to the proposed commercial unit entrance.

Two planting beds between the public footway and the proposed vehicular access were accommodated within our landscape design. This provided an opportunity to introduce an additional tree and ground cover planting within this location. In addition, by removing the former area of hard standing within the area of the proposed planting beds, additional water and oxygen will be provided to the root protection area of the existing tree within the footway.

At the southeast corner of the plot frontage the communal residential entrance was proposed. This was set a half a floor level up from that of the commercial unit. Our landscape architects designed the route to the proposed pedestrian entrance to be fully Part M compliant. Therefore, compliant ramped and stepped accesses were provided.

Kilburn High Road, Camden, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a fund manager client to prepare landscape architect ‘s information to satisfy landscape related conditions for this consented infill residential development located behind commercial units on Kilburn High Road. A sketch landscape design was initially prepared to enable discussion between all design team members.

The existing plot is situated on a brown field site which is relatively flat and currently contains car parking, storage and a single storey building. This is accessed via an undercroft pedestrian and vehicular route between commercial units located on the Kilburn High Road. The plot is currently enclosed by buildings on three sides with Kilburn Grange Park to the east.

The proposed courtyard space needs to provide pedestrian access to the communal entrance of this new development, two private patios fronting onto the courtyard, cycle storage for residents of this development and vehicular access to the substation located within the courtyard. Our landscape architects spent significant time coordinating our information with the project architect, civil engineer and services engineer to ensure all parties were happy within our proposed landscape design.

There was much discussion about the location of planting with the courtyard space between our landscape architects and the other members of the design team. The result of these discussions dictated that two small trees and planting were to be located in two raised planters within the space. These planters needed to be moveable as they are located over high voltage cabling in ducts which provided power to the substation.

To the existing south boundary wall our landscape architects specified a robust vertical timber trellis. This treatment has been applied to the entire length of this boundary wall, from the proposed building frontage, through the undercroft to the Kilburn High Road. The section of trellis located outside of the undercroft zone is to be planted with climbers suitable for this shady elevation.

All planting specified by our landscape architects is suitable for this potentially shaded environment and will provide all year round interest, in the form of attractive leaf, bark and flowers.

Robinson Building, Chesterford Research Park, Essex

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed as landscape architects by a developer client on this new build office and research development located on a 1.27ha brownfield plot. Our scope was to review the existing landscape design, provide landscape architect ’s information to discharge conditions; a full package of tender and construction information for the external works; periodically attend progress meetings and to inspect the on site works as they progressed until the completion of the project.

The existing plot is set within an attractive setting of open parkland, an arboretum and a number of lakes. These elements in conjunction with other laboratory, office and supporting buildings and infrastructure combine to form Chesterford Research Park.

Our landscape architect ‘s strategic landscape design for this development needed to consider and accommodate vehicular circulation, car and cycle parking, pedestrian circulation and wayfinding and Building Control Part M compliance. Due to the parkland setting of this development the screening of car parking and service plant with vegetation was considered essential.

The palette of hard landscape materials were carefully selected by our landscape architects to ensure the external works complemented that of the built form. Contrasting materials were selected to define the vehicular running surface and the parking bays, with contrasting blocks defining the edges of the individual parking bays. A large entrance plaza with banding within the paving was designed by our landscape architects to provide an appropriate setting for the main entrance to the building. To the rear of the building a break out space was designed within a courtyard space. The planting within this area was carefully selected to thrive in this shaded location.

Where possible native planting was specified by our landscape architects to provide valuable wildlife habitat and foraging opportunities for the local fauna. This included Hawthorn hedging to the perimeter of the plot and native tree species through out. In addition, appropriate native species and wildlife friendly planting were included within our ornamental planting palette.

Marnock Road, Lewisham, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a housing association client to prepare a landscape design to support a detailed planning submission for this proposed infill residential development located within housing association land. The development plot was located adjacent to an existing block of flats and the planning submission included proposals for the landscape adjacent to these existing dwellings.

The existing plot is located on a brown field site which contains an existing car park and various outbuildings. A number of existing mature trees are located within the plot boundary and the intention was to retain as many of these as possible within our final landscape architect ‘s design.

The landscape design consisted of moving the vehicular entrance to the site to create a larger developable plan area to enable the construction of 6 houses; relocating the existing car parking area to accommodate the same number of parking spaces as the existing condition; accommodating rear and front gardens to the new houses; ensuring the landscape proposals have a minimal impact on the existing tree identified for retention.

The landscape zone between the existing flats and the proposed houses was carefully considered by our landscape architects. This area was designed to help create a sense of privacy and reduce overlooking between these dwellings; provided an access route to the rear gardens of the new houses and provided semi enclosed communal garden spaces for the existing flats.

A new path network and planting was proposed in front of the east end of the existing flats. The intention for this design intervention was to help improve the sense of privacy to the existing ground floor flats and to help create a more attractive living environment.

The landscape design to rear and front gardens to the new dwellings was kept simple and uncluttered. The rear gardens accommodated a patio, planting (including climbers to the walls) and a shed. The gardens to the front accommodated an enclosed bin store and provided suitable defensible space between the sitting rooms and the public footway.

Gillan Court, Grove Park, Lewisham, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a housing association client to prepare landscape architect’ s information to support a detailed planning submission for this proposed infill residential development located behind an existing housing association block of flats. As part of the planning submission the landscape design surrounding the existing dwellings was also considered.

The existing plot is located on a brown field site with an existing car park located to the rear of their existing dwellings. Public Highway is located to the west of the plot, private residencies to its southern and eastern boundaries and military buildings are located to its northern edge. Within the plot are a number of existing mature trees, a number of which have Tree Preservation Orders. There is an existing fall of approximately 2m from west to east across the site.

Our landscape design for this development can be considered to have four parts; car parking, pedestrian circulation, the play garden and the private residential gardens. As this is a residential development with restricted space our landscape architects assumed traffic speeds would be slow making it suitable for shared surface type principles. Pedestrian and vehicular surfaces are flush with the different surfaces being indicated by contrasting paving. All sight lines within this zone are kept free of visual obstacles.

The communal garden area, which is to serve both the existing and proposed residents, has been designed to accommodate elements of under 5 years play equipment. Our landscape architects intended is to make this space appealing to all members of this proposed community.

As part of the landscape design development we provided material for and attended at a number of public consultation events. Comments from the events were collated and, where appropriate, incorporated into the final landscape design.

Proposed levels were carefully considered by our landscape architects, particularly within the vicinity of existing trees which were to be retained. Level thresholds needed to be accommodated and Part M compliance was required throughout the site.

We were also responsible for the preparation of landscape architect information for the construction phase of this project.

The Arc- Adastra House, Finchley, Barnet, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a developer client to prepare a landscape architect ‘s information to satisfy landscape related Conditions for this proposed thirty four unit residential development located within Finchley town centre. We initially prepared a landscape design to the satisfaction of our client and other design team members. We the developed our proposals in readiness for submitting to the Local Authority.

The existing plot is located on a brown field site. Public Highway is located along two of its edges and existing buildings to its other two edges. The proposed built form fills the full extent of the plot’s footprint, with the basement level being occupied by car parking. At ground floor and above, the built form is set back slightly from the plot edge. This zone provides public realm and shared communal space.

Our landscape design at ground floor level consists of two areas of under five year’s play, planting and seating. Within this zone our landscape architects needed to accommodate two ventilation shafts which provide cross ventilation for the car parking below. This aspect of the of design was carefully considered so these elements could be incorporated into this space with minimal visual and sensory impact. Finished levels were carefully considered at ground level as the site had a cross fall of approximately 1m. Level thresholds needed to be accommodated and Part M and Park K compliance was required throughout.

Our landscape design for the seventh floor roof level consisted of a communal roof garden and the provision of visual screening to the solar panels required for this development. The landscape design for communal garden intended to maximise the usable space available whilst creating an area which would be comfortable to inhabit. Therefore, the exposed nature of this part of the development was given due consideration. In addition, our landscape architects identified the potential benefit of the stunning views gained from this roof top vantage point and these were integrated into our final landscape design.

Summit Court, Kilburn, Brent, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a Local Authority developer client to prepare a landscape design to satisfy landscape related conditions for this proposed residential development located within an existing Local Authority owned housing estate. We were then tasked with the production of fully coordinated landscape architect ‘s Tender package of information.

Following this were appointed by the main contractor to develop our landscape design and tasked with the preparation of our Construction status landscape architect ‘s package of information. We were also required to monitor the on site works as they progressed.

The proposed building plot is located within the footprint of a block of underused storage facilities and an area of underused tarmac. In addition to the area of landscape surrounding the new building our remit was to prepare proposals for associated car parking which was to serve both the existing and new residents of this estate.

There are a significant number of existing trees to the west of the proposed building, within the vicinity of the reconfigured car parking area. It was a requirement of the Local Authority that these trees were to be retained in good health. Specific details were developed by our landscape architects to satisfy one of the Planning Conditions to this end.

Our landscape design suggested that the area of underused grass between the existing and proposed buildings should be reconfigured so as to create an attractive amenity space which incorporated elements of informal play. These included balancing logs, boulders, planting, benches and contoured landform. To the south west of the new building a second, smaller play are was incorporated.

Pedestrian and vehicular circulation we carefully considered within our landscape design. In addition, the occasional sub station access requirements were incorporated within our landscape proposals. All ground floor residential units were provided with defensible space between the individual dwelling and the public realm.