Kingsbridge, Barking, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a contractor client to develop an Outline Planning Approved landscape scheme for this residential site. We initially produced a sketch landscape design of our client and design team. We then went on to produce landscape architect ‘s information to satisfy Reserved Matters Conditions, produce a fully coordinated Tender and Construction landscape packages of information, and to monitor the on site external works as they progresses. In addition, we were tasked with developing a palette of external materials and Highway’s details to the satisfaction of the Borough’s Highway department.

The existing plot abutted the Public Highway to its north and eastern edges, Council Housing to its west and private housing to its southern boundary. At the north east corner of the pot is an existing sub station which was to be retained.

The architectural proposals consisted of four distinct residential blocks, in the style of terrace housing. A proposed carriageway with on street parking bisects the site east west. Two narrow street running north south were proposed, with one at the west end of the plot and one at the centre of the site, passing through the proposed building. Along the north edge of the plot, abutting Wheelers Cross, on street parking was proposed. All highways and footways were designed to adoptable standards and fire tender and refuse vehicle tracking was considered carefully by our landscape architects.

All ground floor dwellings had a private rear garden. Each garden consisted of a patio, grass and a shed. The difference in levels across the site was dealt with by our landscape architects within these garden zones. A number of strategically placed trees were required between the south east and south west blocks and to the southern boundary. These were intended to mitigate overlooking issues between these and neighbouring properties.

Carlow House, Camden, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client to produce a landscape architect ’s tender package of information for an internal atrium space associated with a refurbished residential development. Our detailed design was developed from a design intent visualisation produced by others. Our scope was limited to the planted and planter elements of this atrium space only.

Our appointment covered two specific elements. Firstly, we were tasked with the technical landscape design of a ground level planter located over a structural slab. Secondly, we were responsible for the technical design of cantilevered pots which were to be arranged outside of proposed balustrades to residential walkways.

The ground level planter needed to be an in situ self contained planter. The planter needed to accommodate drainage with outfalls to a silt trap, an automated irrigation system and decorative lighting. Our landscape architects carefully coordinated our proposals with the civil engineer and electrical engineer to ensure a this element of design was aesthetically pleasing whilst providing a growing environment in which the planting would continue to thrive.

The cantilevered pots, located on the outside of the balustrades, needed to be fixed to a structure which was tied back to an existing load bearing structure. Therefore, the overall weight of the proposed pot and its contents was critical in ensuring these elements did not fail. Our landscape architects worked closely with the structural engineer to ensure the structural integrity of the proposed pots’ fixings and their supports were fit for purpose. In addition, the health and safety associated with the maintenance of these pots was carefully considered at an early stage of the design process. Each pot was designed with an integral irrigation reservoir to ensure the plant remained healthy whilst providing an easy method of maintenance.

Our landscape architects gave special attention to the species of planting contained within the ground level planter and the raised pots to ensure they continued to thrive through time in these specific conditions.

Centenary Square, Birmingham

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects collaboratively prepared a landscape design for this high profile public open space in the heart of Birmingham in readiness for this open competition hosted by RIBA and the Landscape Institute. Our landscape architect ‘s submission comprised of a number of illustrations which captured our vision.

This space needed to accommodate a bus route and a tram stop/ terminus to its south side. To the square’s north elevation are three notable buildings; Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Library of Birmingham and Baskerville House. Connecting to the south side of the square is the notable Broad Street, a popular night spot in central Birmingham. Existing prominent features within the square include the Hall of Memory at its east end and the Library’s light well atrium located at the centre of the square.

Our landscape architect’s proposal provides a single coherent surface treatment across the entire space, from building frontage to building frontage. The intention was to make the public realm bound by the buildings larger and to unify the space. The landscape design responded to the three buildings to the square’s north elevation. Ripples emanate out from these buildings and the objects associated with them, forming a distinct pattern in the ground plane. These ripples help to generate the geometry of various landscape and structural elements within this space; including terraces, raised planters and seating.

The landscape design create a series of flexible spaces throughout. The zone surrounding the Hall of Memory has been designed to be used as a thoroughfare, a place to pause and as an appropriate setting for memorial events. The zone fronting the library incorporates a variety of intimate and open spaces and provides an appropriate entrance setting for the library. The zone fronting the theatre accommodates a dedicated theatre terrace, an urban forest and water jets. It was anticipated that this space would have the capability to host large public events.

Young Street, Kensington & Chelsea, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a contractor client as landscape architects on this 0.20 ha site. Our landscape architects were initially tasked with reviewing and commenting on a landscape design prepared by another practice of landscape architects Our scope was to provide a landscape architect ’s construction package of information to enable the procurement and construction of the external works to the satisfaction of the end client.

This proposed residential development consists of a courtyard space surrounded by dwellings on all sides. To the east of the courtyard the buildings are a single story high, to the west they are five stories high, with a seventh floor penthouse suite in the north east corner of the development. The extent of our landscape architect ‘s services were limited to the ground floor courtyard space only.

The courtyard space consists of a perimeter walkway which surrounds a number of planters that enclose a central lawned area. There are a number of seating opportunities within the central area, a pergola covered picnic area and a water feature to the north west corner of the space.

The entire ground floor consists of a structural slab and is located over a lower ground floor parking area and services zone. Our landscape architect ‘s construction package of information therefore needed to accommodate ventilation for the lower ground floor parking within the courtyard space. These vents were carefully considered, detailed and integrated in to a number of in situ seating units.

The Local Authority and end client required small trees and large multi stemmed shrubs to be planted within the courtyard space. The loading imposed on the structural slab was therefore discussed and agreed with the structural engineer at an early stage of the project. It was also decided that brick clad reinforced concrete planters should be specified to ensure their structural integrity.

London Road, Wembley, Brent, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a Local Authority client as landscape architects on this 0.92 ha brownfield/ greenfield site. Our scope was to provide a landscape architect’s package of information to support a detailed Planning submission. Our landscape architect ‘s prepared a sketch landscape design to the satisfaction of the client and design team. This was then developed into a Landscape Design Statement which illustrated the full design process from analysis to developed landscape design.

The existing site is predominantly flat and consists of an existing youth centre, an area of tarmac car parking, existing trees and scrubby vegetation. It was considered important that the trees and hedging to the perimeter of the site should be retained to provide an attractive boundary and visual screening from day one of the completion of this development.

The architect’s proposals consist of three buildings that are to accommodate 170 residential units and a community centre. A NAIL building is located to the north, a residential block at the centre and a Temporary Accommodation and community centre located within one building at the south of the site.

Access into the new development is via London Road along the west elevation of the plot. Our landscape architects designed two new roads to adoptable standards. These provided the necessary vehicular access into this development. Traffic calming measures are incorporated into the road design to help create a safe pedestrian environment.

The landscape design for the NAIL unit is sympathetic to that of the end user. Our landscape architect ‘s proposals include provision for spaces for quiet, communal activities and areas to socialise.

The external spaces to the Temporary Accommodation and community centre building are treated as two distinct areas as their functions are quite different. The Temporary Accommodation space contains an area for under 5 years play, cycle storage and seating opportunities. The community centre space is simply paved with seating opportunities to ensure maximum flexibility is provided.

The landscape design for the residential building at the centre of the site is located over a podium deck slab. This area provides a shared amenity for the residents of this building. The entire space has been designed to accommodate under fives play whilst providing a pleasant environment in which to relax. This space also accommodates the venting requirements of the car parking below.

This masterplan accommodates four playgrounds, two within the public realm and two for the dedicated use of their associated buildings. Three under five years and one five to eleven years playgrounds are accommodated, with the latter being located along the east boundary of the site in the form of a linear park. All under five and five to eleven years play requirements, as specified by GLA’s SPG “Shaping Neighbourhoods: Play and Informal Recreation”, have been accommodated on site.

Units 21 & 23 Gershwin Boulevard, Witham, Essex

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this 0.33ha greenfield site on the edge of the town of Witham in Essex. This plot is to accommodate two commercial units and associate parking. Our scope was to develop a sketch landscape design to the satisfaction of the design team and client. We then proceeded with the preparation of landscape architect ’s information to support a detailed planning submission.

The plot is approximately rectangular in shape with a newly completed supermarket to its north west edge and an access road to its south west edge. To the plot’s south east and north east edges are fields. The plot has a fall of approximately 2m from the south west to the north east boundaries.

The development has three access points off the main access road. Two serve the public car parking area and one serves the deliveries area, to the north west building. The vehicular tracking for the delivery vehicles was carefully considered by our landscape architects and the vehicles’ manoeuvring requirements were accommodated within our landscape design. The visitor car parking accommodated a significant number of disabled and parent and child spaces. These were all located close to the buildings’ entrances. The requirements of Building Control Part M was carefully considered by our landscape architects and compliant pedestrian access routes were accommodated across the site.

Where possible, our landscape architects specified structural planting between parking blocks. This helped to reduce the visual dominance of cars. Hedging was proposed along a significant portion of the north east boundary and trees were specified in suitable locations. Our landscape architects intended that these elements would provide a suitable visual boundary and help to reduce the visual mass of the proposed buildings when viewed from the fields to the north east of the plot.

Westbury Estate, Clapham, Lambeth, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this 0.38ha, 3 plot site. Our scope was to develop a sketch landscape design for each of the plots to the satisfaction of the client and architect. We then provided a landscape architect ‘s package of information to support a detailed Planning submission. Once approved we produced a full Tender and Construction packages of landscape architect’s information. Finally, we were tasked to monitor the works as they proceed on site.

The site is split into three distinct plots, with residential units proposed on two of the plots and a playground on the third. Two of the plots contain existing mature trees which the Local Authority were keen to retain. On the two residential plots there is a fall of approximately 2.5m between the front and rear plot boundaries.

The eastern residential development accommodates a commercial space at upper ground floor level. The access to the residential units above the commercial unit is gained via the main pedestrian entrance to the rear of the building, at the lower level.

Resident access to the western development is gained at street level. The landscape design accommodated a private patio space for each of the units at the upper and lower levels.

As the playground is located on an elevated island of land it was necessary for the landscape design to specify a stepped and ramped access. In addition, the location and types of paved surfaces were carefully considered by our landscape architects so as to avoid any harmful effects to the existing trees.

Due to the significant level difference between the front and rear of each of the residential plots, Part M compliance was something that was considered carefully by our project landscape architect.

Rowan House Driving Academy, Colindale ,Barnet, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a contractor client as landscape architects on this 2.08ha brownfield site that is to house a dedicated training facility for the Metropolitan Police Driving School. Our landscape architects initially reviewed the planning approved information and prepared a sketch landscape design to the satisfaction of our client and the design team. We then prepared information to satisfy landscape architect ’s Conditions, a full tender and construction packages of landscape architect ’s information. Finally we were responsible for monitoring the on site works at critical stages.

The plot is irregular in shape with one long edge to the east boundary. Outside the south and east boundaries are the Northern Line Underground and a Network Rail railway lines. Between these lines and the plot boundary is a significant belt of existing trees, all of which were to be retained. There is an existing fall of approximately 4.5m for the west to the east boundary.

The proposed external works to this development included an appropriate pedestrian entrance zone for the building, staff car parking, a wobble road for motorcycle training, a C1/ D1 training area, a secure line to the perimeter of the site and structural landscape planting.

Due to the significant east/ west cross fall, our landscape architects considered the ground levels very carefully from the outset of this project. This helped to minimise the volume of fill that was to be exported from site. The need for retaining structures also formed part of this exercise, along with the need for Part M compliant pedestrian access routes.

Our landscape architects considered all existing trees that were to be retained carefully from the early stages of design development. Their continued healthy growth post development was considered an important constraint to the Local Authority.

Gordon Infant School Ilford, Redbridge, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a contractor client as landscape architects on this 0.53ha school site. Our scope was to develop a landscape design to the satisfaction of the school and the contractor. We then proceeded to provide landscape architect ’s information to satisfy landscape related Conditions, provide a full package of landscape architect ’s tender and construction information and to monitor the external on site works as they progressed.

The main contractor was appointed to refurbish the existing school building, provide an extension to the existing school and to improve the existing external works, ensuring they tied into the newly extended school building.

The site is approximately flat with a number of mature trees to the east and west boundaries and a group of young trees grouped around the main building’s entrance. There were areas of tarmac and grass used for play areas, and various items of street furniture which were to be reused.

In order that the school could remain open while the building works were being carried out it was necessary for the contractor to occupy the playground to the east of the site. In order that this could happen it was necessary that the car parking at the west of the site be given over to a temporary play ground. Our landscape architects were responsible for providing phased drawings and specification to enable this to happen in a considered manner.

The play area for the youngest members of the school was too small for the number of children it needed to accommodate. Our landscape architects therefore needed to develop a landscape design strategy to enable the existing play area to be extended into the zone which accommodated the existing stand of trees. Our landscape architects specified a no dig solution within the root protection areas of these trees. The proposed surface finish was composed of a coloured rubber bound chippings. These details ensured the existing trees continued to thrive whilst providing the school with more usable space.

Al Wakrah Waterfront Competition, Qatar

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were invited by PEO (Qatar) to enter their short list ideas competition. This competition was landscape design lead and our remit was to provide the PEO (Qatar) with a strategic master plan for a 6km stretch of waterfront in Qatar’s second largest city 5km to the south of Doha, Al Wakrah. Davis Landscape Architecture invited Barr Gazatas architects to assist us with the development of our landscape architect ‘s masterplan.

Our landscape architect’s understanding of the client’s brief was to provide a vision for the public realm to Al Wakrah’s water front. PEO (Qatar) considered the proposed waterfront to be part of the first phase of the regeneration of this city. This would be in readiness for a thirty fold increase in its population over the coming decades.

The stitching of our proposals into the existing urban fabric of this historic city was considered by our landscape architects from the outset. We considered it important that the landscape design provide facilities that would help to attract both national and international tourists to this city.

To create a successful and vibrant pedestrian focused waterfront we felt that transport was an important issue that needed to be integrated into the heart of our landscape design. We suggested that this be a car free zone, with restricted delivery and service vehicle access. Our design team suggested a rapid transit system should follow the north south route of the waterfront. A transport hub was proposed adjacent to the historic centre of this site. This would connect buses, local and intercity water buses and the rapid transit route. At strategic points cycle stations were incorporated into the landscape design of the waterfront.

Enhanced existing elements contained within our landscape masterplan included the historic suq, harbour, boat workshops and various civic buildings. Strategic landscape proposals included a marina, a hotel complex, a number of new parks, new public spaces along the waterfront and within the suq setting, a new shopping district, floating cafes and strategic tree planting.