Harper Road, Borough, Southwark, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this 0.23 ha brownfield site. We initially reviewed the Planning approved information and developed a landscape design to the satisfaction of our client. We then prepared a package of landscape architect ‘s information to satisfy Conditions. Once Conditions were approved our landscape architects prepared full Tender and Construction packages of landscape information. The monitoring of on site works and signing off the landscape works at completion was included within our scope of services.

The plot is linear in nature, measuring approximately 95m by 24m. The existing site levels are more or less flat. Just to the south of the development an existing mature TPO tree is located within the public footway. To the north west boundary various Party Wall agreements were required. Vehicular access to this development is via a shared carriageway to its rear.

The main areas of our landscape design input was at ground floor and at the seventh floor communal roof garden; at the south end of the building.

To the rear of the development at ground floor level our landscape architects needed to provide private amenity space, share amenity space (with informal under 5’s play and planting), parking for four cars, sub station access and a secure boundary line. A below ground attenuation tank within the parking area needed to be coordinated and accommodated with our proposals. At the ground floor frontage we needed to accommodate bridged access (over the lower ground floor patios) to the four communal entrances and a suitable entrance space to the ground floor office space at the south end of this development.

The seventh floor roof garden has been designed as a series of interlinked rooms; defined through contrasting paving and the careful positioning of planters and furniture. This allows multiple resident groups to frequent the terrace at the same time whilst providing a sense of privacy for each. Our landscape architect’s specification included purpose built planters to the perimeter of the terrace to provide shelter and a beautiful landscape edge, whilst accommodating long distance views.

381-397 Edgware Road, Colindale, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this 1,700m2 brownfield site. Our scope was to develop a sketch landscape design for the approval of our client and the design team. We were then tasked to provide landscape architect ‘s information to support a detailed planning application, including a written landscape design statement.

The proposed development consists of a 4, 5 and 18 story residential building that is to accommodate 110 residential dwellings. Retail and office spaces are located at ground floor level. Below the building footprint a basement car park, cycle parking and mechanical and electrical plant are located.

The Level 1 & 5 landscapes provide private patios and shared amenity spaces within a cohesive landscape design. Views from above has been considered by our landscape architects when designing these space. A variety of seating opportunities are provided in the form of integral sculptural benches. The planting has been considered carefully so as to be visually pleasing all year round, to be suitable for use in the raised planters specified and to be suitably drought tolerant. Glass balustrades are specified to the parapets of both these spaces. These balustrades will help to attenuate the potentially windy conditions and accommodate views of the surrounding area.

At Level 1 100m2 of under 5’s ‘natural’ play has been integrated seamlessly into the landscape design. Our landscape architect’s design is considered as a whole and there are no barriers between the play and ‘adult’ areas. A contoured impact absorbing ground plane form the base for the area of play. Play elements integrated into the design include a tunnel, a sculptural wall and other unstructured play elements.

At Level 4 two private patios abut the building, providing private amenity space for the two adjacent dwellings. Both patios are bound by raised planters with ornamental and hedging type planting. Beyond the raised planters a large Sedum roof is specified.

Gwynne Road, Battersea, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this 500m2, former commercial building, site. Our scope was to provide our client with a landscape design, based on the consented scheme, to their satisfaction. This layout was then developed and information provided to discharge landscape related conditions. We then provided a full landscape architect ‘s construction package of information and this was accompanied with the inspection of the works during the construction phase and at its completion.

The proposed development consists of a 14 story residential building with 33 residential flats, with commercial space located at ground floor and at mezzanine levels. The proposed building inhabits the majority of the plot with a strip of landscape at ground floor between the proposed building and the existing edge condition.

At ground floor level our landscape design needed to tie the proposed building footprint into the existing conditions at the perimeter of the plot. Our landscape architect’s detailed design considered levels carefully as they were a critical element of the landscape proposal’s success. The majority of the surface surrounding the building was to be paved and all pedestrian areas needed to be Part M compliant. To the front of the building eight visitor cycles were accommodated and careful consideration was given to screening the adjacent rail track to the building’s rear. This was achieved with strained wires and climbing plants.

On top of the building a roof garden for the use of all the residents was proposed. In designing this space our landscape architects needed to be mindful of the potentially windy conditions in this location and the potential loading which would be imposed on the building structure by our proposals. A glass balustrade was proposed at the perimeter of this space and low growing planting was specified. These elements accommodated an unimpeded view of the surrounding area.

Marine Wharf East, Bermondsey, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this 1.02 Ha, brownfield site. Our landscape architect’s brief was to review the consented scheme and to provide our client with cost saving options which would not affect the final quality of the landscape design. We were then tasked to provide our client with a full landscape architect ‘s construction package of information to enable the procurement and construction of the external works.

The development site consists of two new build residential blocks (which surround semi private courtyard spaces), a Home Zone between the two residential blocks (accommodating pedestrian and vehicle routes), a public open space and public footways to the Highways surrounding the built form. There is an existing change of level of approximately 3m from the highest part of the site to the lowest.

Both courtyard spaces are located above lower ground car parking zones. These are located on podium deck slabs and the landscape design of these spaces needed to consider the loading imposed on the slabs by our landscape proposals. The design of these courtyards need to provide defensible space to all of the dwelling which face onto the spaces. Elements of play needed to be incorporated into the east space.

The tree lined Home Zone space between the two blocks needed to provide vehicular access to the two lower ground car parking zones. In addition, the vehicular tracking requirements of the refuse and fire tender vehicles needed to be carefully considdered and accommodated within the design by our landscape architects.  The landscape design of this space needed to provide a suitable public realm for this type of development and it provided a new thoroughfare,  connecting two existing roads.

The public open space was an existing public park which the Local Authority suggested should be enhanced to provide a better interface between the existing dwellings and the proposed residential development.

Hollybush Place, Bethnal Green, Tower Hamlets, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this compact 0.2Ha brownfield site, adjacent to a railway viaduct. Our scope was to provide a sketch landscape design for client sign off then to proceed with the preparation of a landscape architect ‘s package of information to support a detailed Planning submission.

The existing industrial building that occupies the site is to be demolished and a new building is to be erected. The architect’s proposal for the building was one that contained 72 residential units and commercial space at ground level and Level -1. The building was arranged in two residential blocks, one 7 story high, the other split over 5 story and 7 story high.

At Level 1 a landscape zone which connects the two buildings was suggested by our landscape architects. This is to be a shared space for the use of the resident of these buildings, including the children. The landscape design for this space accommodates three areas of play, seating and planting. The planting specified was to provide all year round interest and to help provide a more habitable space. In addition, the architect suggested areas of this zone should be ‘cut away’ to allow for daylight to penetrate to ground level and Level -1.

At Level 5 roof top another shared communal landscape space is proposed. The landscape design accommodates  a play space, seating and planting. Our landscape architect’s proposal considdered the arrangement of objects within this roof terrace zone and ensured visitors are able access the building parapet edge to enjoy long distance views across the Bethnal Green skyline.

At the ground floor level our landscape design accommodates one way vehicular traffic from Hollybush Place, deliveries to the commercial units and two disabled parking spaces. Our landscape architect’s design considered the ground plane carefully and used contrasting paving materials demark the pedestrian zones and carriageway.

Knowles House, Brent, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a Local Authority client as landscape architects on this 0.48 ha site. Our scope was to develop a concept landscape design then to provide a landscape architect ‘s package of information to support a detailed Planning submission for the erection of two buildings, one 5 stories in height the other six.

The existing site is owned by London Borough of Brent and contains a nursery and Knowles House. To the west of the site is Longstone Avenue and Roundwood Park is located to its north. There is an existing fall of approximately 3m from south to north across the site. There are a number of existing mature trees along the south and west plot boundaries and our landscape architect’s aspiration was to retain all of these trees if possible.

The two proposed blocks are located at the north and south of the plot. Parking for workers and visitors to both buildings is located at the centre and was accessed off Longstone Road. The landscape design of this access also needed to accommodate refuse vehicle access and space for vehicle turning.

The north building is proposed to be short stay Temporary Accommodation. Located at its north west corner, at ground floor level, is a proposed D1 facility. This faces onto Roundwood Park and has a dedicated terrace to its rear. There is a dedicated playground space incorporated in to the external Temporary Accommodation landscape and the landscape design includes a clear division between this space and the external space to the D1 facility.

The NAIL Units occupy the proposed building to the south of the site. These have been designed for adults with learning difficulties and elderly residents suffering with early onset of dementia. A secure courtyard landscape space is enclosed by the proposed building. Our landscape architects designed this space to enables residents to connect with plants, trees and the natural environment. Creating an unconfusing space was important, it has therefore been designed to be legible and easily navigable. The circulation spaces are clearly defined, bright and open. Interaction between neighbours has also been designed into this space.

Vintry & Mercer Hotel, Mansion House, City of London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this proposed seven floor, 92 bedroom hotel located in the Queen Street Conservation Area in the City of London. We were initially tasked to provide concept landscape designs for various spaces of the hotel for sign off by our client. These concepts were then developed to enable us to provide a full landscape architect ‘s tender package of information. At the on site phase of this project we are to monitor works at appropriate times.

The site is located on a plot which was previously occupied by two buildings. The proposed built form of the Vintry & Mercer Hotel extends to the plot boundary and our input was not required at ground level outside the building. Our landscape architects were tasked with providing landscape designs for a number of interior spaces, providing concept landscape designs for an overlooked light well which contains a two large pieces of mechanical plant and to provide a full landscape design for the Mercer Terrace, located on the roof of this hotel.

Our landscape architects needed to accommodate a variety of constraints associated with interior landscape design. These included low light levels, low humidity levels and ease of maintenance for the end user. Our landscape architects specified planting in the form of green walls, hanging planting and specimen plants. All planting containers and integral pot irrigation was considered carefully and specified appropriately.

The Mercer Terrace, at roof level, functions as the external space for one of the restaurants associated with this hotel. Our landscape architect’s proposals for this space needed to provide a distinctive character associated with a boutique hotel. The landscape design needed to allow for ease of pedestrian movement and ensure visitor safety was fully considered. Clear views from this terrace was also a crucial design constraint. The protected view of St Paul’s Cathedral from Blackheath Point needed to be carefully considered when designing this space as this sight line was within a metre of the FFL of the roof terrace in places.

Gascoigne West, Barking, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a Local Authority client as landscape architects on this proposed 850 residential unit and 350m2 commercial/ community spaces development located to the south west of Barking town centre. Our scope was to prepare a strategic landscape design to the satisfaction of the team then to develop this into a full landscape architect ‘s package of information to support an Outline Planning submission.

The proposed 2.98ha development site is located at the northern and western edges of an existing low density Local Authority housing estate. Our landscape architects considered the legibility of the existing footpath network within this estate to be poorly defined with no hierarchy. To the west of the site is the thriving Ice House Quarter arts district which fronts onto the River Roding. Along the north and west boundaries of the site a significant number of mature London Plane trees are located. Our ecologist identified an existing local community of bats currently use part of the site for evening foraging.

Our landscape architects developed a masterplan for this site which identified a clear strategy and hierarchy for the public, semi private and private realm. It was our intention to create a clear distinction between these types of landscape zones and to connect them with a legible network of pedestrian links. We considered the creation of a clear and safe wayfinding strategy through this fragmented part of town to be an important outcome. The creation of community focused spaces was also an important driver behind the design of our landscape masterplan. A variety of spaces were designed, accommodating active and passive recreation, with the inclusion of play spaces wherever possible.

The landscape design was considered in detail within the vicinity of the existing mature trees, this enabled the majority of these to be retained as part of our final layout. Our landscape architect’s knowledge of native and wild life friendly planting was applied so as to provide a planting scheme that is both attractive and ecologically beneficial.

Former Honda Site, Southall, Ealing, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this proposed 10 floor, 174 unit residential development located in north west London. Our scope was to provide our client with a sketch landscape design for costing and approval. We were then tasked with the production of a coordinated landscape architect ‘s information to support a detailed Planning submission. This was in the form of landscape plans and a Landscape Design Statement.

The site is located on a former car showroom and associated car parking area. Along the north east and east boundaries a significant number of medium sized existing trees are located. To the south west corner of the site, between the plot boundary and the public footpath, a number of mature existing trees are located. Our landscape architect’s final proposals incorporated all of these existing trees, ensuring the layout would ensure their survival.

Our landscape architects provided proposals for the public and private realm to the ground floor level surrounding the building. A new public space to the north west corner of the site provides seating and planting. These in conjunction with high quality paving enhance the entrance space into the building and provides a welcoming pedestrian zone which will link with the future surrounding proposals.  A shared carriageway surface, which provided vehicular access to the site parking and pedestrian access to individual dwellings, is located at the south east corner of the site. All dwellings located at ground floor level surrounding the building are accessed from the public realm via a private patio area.

Our landscape proposals for Levels 1, 5, 7 and 8 included the design of shared landscape spaces for the use of all residents and the provision of private patios for all dwellings facing onto these spaces. At levels 1 and 7 under 5’s natural play spaces were incorporated into our landscape proposals as an integral part of their design. At Level 1 the venting to the ground floor parking, below this space, needed to be seamlessly accommodated within the paving design.

Vauxhall City Farm, Lambeth, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this proposed community facility located adjacent to the existing Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. We were initially tasked to provide a sketch landscape design to the satisfaction of our client and design team members. Once approved, we provided our client with landscape architect ‘s information to support a detailed Planning submission. This was followed by the preparation of landscape architect’s information to satisfy Conditions then full landscape Tender and Construction packages of information to enable its construction.

The site formed part of the main body of the existing City Farm and its associated allotments. The City Farm’s proposal was to refurbish and extend the existing building and repurpose it at the ground floor level to provide a local cafe and community facility. Our remit was to provide a landscape design that provided a suitable setting for the cafe and to stitch our landscape proposal into the existing farm and allotment context. The City Farm had a list of requirements and our landscape architects needed to incorporate these into our proposal.  Client sign off was required at each stage of the project as it developed.

Within our landscape design our landscape architects needed to provide an external cafe seating area, incorporate a duck pond and provide a seated external classroom space where school children could gather. All surfaces within this site needed to be Building Control Part M compliant. This was particularly challenging as the cafe area is significantly lower than its surrounding context.

Our landscape architects gave careful attention to the existing levels within the vicinity of a number of trees at the north west corner of the site. It was important to our client that these trees survived the development process and continued to thrive once the building works were complete.