Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by our developer client as landscape architects for this public realm site adjacent to a proposed shopping centre in central Huntingdon. Once our initial landscape design proposal was approved by our client we were tasked with the preparation of landscape architect ‘s information to discharge Planning Conditions. Our output in this case was a number of detailed planting plans.

The area which required the focus of our landscape design input was a pedestrian link. This link connects a proposed vehicular route to the pedestrian shopping district of this historic town. The route is flanked on one side by an existing building and the other a new build wall which was designed to screen the proposed vehicular delivery bay of the proposed shopping centre. Our landscape architects were tasked with the specification of climbing and ground cover plant material. The planting needed be robust enough for this public location, provide all year round interest and help to reduce the visual mass of this screening wall. In addition our landscape architects needed to consider the shading cast by adjacent buildings to the south of the proposed planting. Negotiations were required between our landscape architects and the Local Authorities Landscape Officer to achieve a planting palette which satisfied the requirements of all interested parties.

In addition to the pedestrian link planting there were a number of other planting beds which required our input. In these instances the planting needed to be robust and provide evergreen screening to the end elevations of the service entrances of this commercial building. This information was also produce to satisfy the landscape Condition.

Holcombe House & MIL Building Mill Hill, Barnet, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this refurbished development located in Mill Hill Conservation Area. A sketch landscape design was prepared for client approval in terms of aesthetic and functional design. Once signed off we proceeded with the preparation of landscape architect ‘s  information to discharge Planning Conditions. The information provided to the Local Authority included drawings describing the spacial arrangement of the site, levels, boundary treatments, car parking arrangements, paving and plant material selection. In addition the Conditions stated that a landscape architect ‘s management and maintenance plan was required.

The two existing building had been converted over the years so as to function as a single building with a single shared landscape. Our client’s intention was to separate the two building so they could function once again as two distinct properties. As a consequence the surrounding landscape associated with these buildings also needed to be apportioned to each individual property. Our landscape design needed to create a new boundary between these proposed gardens and to review levels to ensure all access routes were DDA compliant.

Within the ownership boundary of the site a significant number of existing mature trees are located. Our landscape architects needed to consider their locations and surrounding ground levels  and accommodate them within our final landscape design.

The arrangement of the exiting buildings formed two distinct courtyard spaces, one for each building. These were designed so as to accommodate the necessary parking for each building. In addition our landscape architects needed to consider the vehicular tracking within the courtyard spaces so the access requirements of service vehicles and deliveries could be accommodated.

Plough Lane, Croydon, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed as landscape architects by a design & build contractor client on this new build residential development. Once our initial landscape design was signed off we tasked with the preparation of landscape architect ‘s information to submit to the Local Authority to satisfy Planning Conditions.

The plot contained an existing building which had consent to be demolished and 6 flats to be built in its place. The topography of the site is steeply sloping from the back of the plot to the road frontage. It is bound on three sides by existing housing and has a number of existing trees on the boundary (all of  which were to be retained).

The landscape design accommodated vehicular parking for the flats within a dedicated open space to the building frontage. To the rear of the development a communal garden space was proposed. Our landscape design proposed that the rear garden be terraced to maximise the usable communal  space. This also ensured that the amount of light entering the building at the lower level to the rear was optimised. Our landscape architect’s proposed strained wires with climbers on the retaining walls facing the communal spaces. This design tool maximised both the scope for ornamental planting to the boundary  and the the amount of usable amenity space. Our landscape architects gave careful consideration to the the existing trees to be retained. The soil levels within the root protection areas of the existing trees were unchanged and the locations of retaining structure were, as far as possible, located outside of their root protection areas.

Chelmsford Business Park, Essex

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed as landscape architects by a developer client on Plots K and L at Chelmsford Business Park, to the north east of Chelmsford town centre. Our brief was to develop a landscape design to the satisfaction of the design team and client. Once approved, we proceeded to develop a pack of landscape architect ‘s information for a detailed Planning submissions, this was followed by landscape architect’s information to discharge Conditions. Finally, we were tasked with the preparation of tender information for the soft landscape element of works. These two plots were developed independently and treated as individual projects for the duration of our appointment.

These two plots are directly adjacent to an archaeological site to their south. There is an exiting TPO woodland to their east and a number of individual TPO trees on plots (two on plot K and one on Plot L). Careful consideration was given to the landscape design by our landscape architects to the on plot kerb and paving alignments. It was important that minimal root damage was caused to the on plot TPO trees. The Local Authorities landscape architect and tree officer was required to sign off our proposals prior to construction taking place.

Our landscape architects carefully selected plant palette to give the planted scheme the best chance of survival. Plants were chosen that were less palatable to rabbits as there was a significant presence on site. In addition it was required that they provide all year round visual interest.

Finally, our landscape architects were required to work closely with the appointed ecologist to enable our client to achieve the desired BREEAM outcome. BREEAM dictated that our plant specification had a significant portion of native species and a number of bird and bat boxes needed to be accommodated within our final proposals.

Addiscombe Road, Croydon, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed as landscape architects by a developer client for this residential project in south London. We were tasked to develop a landscape design and then to provide our client with landscape architect’s information to submit to the Local Authority to satisfy planning conditions. The information submitted included a landscape general arrangement plan and a planting plan with schedules. This general arrangement plan identified materials, boundaries and areas of planting. Once the conditions were signed off by the Local Authority we appointed to produced full planting plans for tender and construction purposes.

The existing site contained a number of listed building which were being refurbished, converted and extended. Within the space surrounding the buildings our landscape architects needed to accommodate car parking, a bin store, cycle storage, private gardens and shared amenity space. Careful consideration was given to the arrangement of these items withing the landscape design so as to maximise the usable space available.

To the front and rear of the site numerous existing trees occupy land both within and outside of the site boundary. Our landscape architects proposal ensured most of these trees were retained. The root protection zones of the retained trees were carefully considered  within our hard landscape design. This ensured any detrimental effect to these trees were minimise both during the construction phase and in the future.

To the front of the site the tracking requirements of resident and delivery vehicles were carefully considered  and incorporated into the landscape design for paving and car parking layout. Within this area Shared Space principals were adopted. This entire space was surfaced with a single paving material with no defined footway or carriageway.

The planting species specified by our landscape architects were a mixture of native and non native species. This ensured that our client achieved the necessary number of BREEAM credits to achieve very good. In addition our landscape architect’s planting plan provided all year round interest as well as being of beneft to our native fauna.

Ruckholt Road, Leytonstone, Waltham Forest, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by our developer client as landscape architects on this proposed 150 unit residential development located in north London. Our brief was to develop a landscape design to the satisfaction of the design team and our client. We were then tasked to produce landscape architect’s information to support a detailed Planning application. Our final submission was in the form of a landscape architect’s design statement.

The proposed built form fronts onto three existing roads and one newly created pedestrian thoroughfare, located to the west of the site. The proposed built form creates a courtyard space at the centre of the plot and it was proposed that it should be for the communal use of the residents of this development. This proposal also accommodated parking, located below the buildings and part of the courtyard space to the south of the site.

Our landscape architects designed the courtyard space so as to be visually pleasing when viewed from the residential units on the first floor and above. The landscape design create a variety of spaces bound by blocks of hedging and tree planting in which the residents can enjoy the courtyard landscape with a feeling of privacy. The paving arrangement provides circulation routes through the space and subtly incorporates the requirement of a service vehicle access route. An element of natural play has been integrated into the design of this space and allows for young children to play under the supervision of their parents in a safe environment.

Our proposed landscape design considered the requirements of the existing trees to be retained, located outside the plot boundary to the north and east of the site. Footpath location, footpath construction and paving levels were all considered so as to minimise the impact our landscape design would have on these valuable existing features.

Marine Plaza, Southend On Sea, Essex

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a developer client as landscape architects on this proposed new build, high-density mixed use development, located in Southend On Sea. Our scope for this project was to develop a landscape design to the satisfaction of our client and other members of the design team. Once signed off we proceeded with the production of landscape architect’s information for a detailed planning application, including a landscape design statement which explained our landscape design proposal in detail.

Marine plaza is located in a seafront location overlooking the promenade, to the east of the town centre. It is intended that it will act as an anchor development and help regenerate the seafront area. The proposed development accommodates a substantial public realm, the majority of which is located over basement parking. When complete this 1.3ha plot will provide 290 residential units and 3,000m2 commercial space.

Fronting onto the promenade at ground and first floor levels active frontage is proposed, it is likely that this will be in the form of cafes and restaurants. The rest of the development, including the eight and twelve floor towers to the site frontage is to be residential apartments.

The heart of the scheme is one large public space with planting, this is located over basement car parks which provide all the parking for this development. This central landscape, as well as providing amenity space for residents and visitors to this development, must provide service vehicle access across the site. The planting in the central part of this site is maritime in nature and is planted through a sandy type mulch, reminiscent of a dune landscape.

The landscape proposals for this scheme were inspired by the adjacent coastal environment. The marks left by advancing and receding tides, maritime planting and the colours and hues of materials in this location all informed  decisions  made about the design elements of this scheme.

Salter Street, Limehouse, Tower Hamlets, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by our developer client as landscape architects on this proposed mixed use (commercial and residential) development located in east London. We were tasked with the production of a landscape design to the satisfaction of our client, then to develop a landscape architect’s package of information to support a detailed Planning application. This included the production of a landscape architect’s design statement which explained our landscape design in detail.

The proposed built form is located tight up against the plot boundary on all sides apart from the elevation facing the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Our landscape architects suggested small courtyard space in this location due to building constraints imposed by the DLR. Our landscape design suggested that this space be simply paved with coloured bands of brick pavers reflecting the banding found in the elevation of the building. The south part of this space is located under the overhang of the DLR platform above. In these locations galvanised arched  trellis’ were proposed, these mimic the arches found on the structure of the viaduct. The trellis’ were proposed to be planted with shade tolerant planting and is to be up lit at night. It was envisaged that this space would occasionally be used by the occupants of the commercial unit and it was intended that it will look attractive when not in use at night.

The general strategy adopted for the drainage of this site was that of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). Permeable block pavers were proposed and excessive rain was to be accommodated in the planted areas.

In addition, we were commissioned by our client to carry out an Open Space Assessment. The target area was inside a radius of five minute walk from the site. We identified all publicly accessible space and private open spaces. These were then mapped with our site at the centre.

The Open Space Assessment was then used by the design team to inform if there was need for open space within the vicinity of this development and if there was what type should it have been. This information then formed part of the planning submission for this site.

Avenue Primary School, Manor Park, Newham, London

Posted on by Justin Davis

We were appointed by a design and build contractor client as landscape architects on this refurbished school project located in Newham, east London school . We were tasked with the production of a landscape design; landscape architect’s information to support a detailed Panning application; landscape architect ‘s information to satisfy Planning Conditions; and full landscape architect ‘s tender package of information. As the landscape works progressed on site we were appointed to monitor and comment.

Working with a design team of architects and engineers, our brief was to develop a landscape proposal for the upgrading of the existing school. Our landscape design needed to incorporate the addition of a new sports hall, an upgraded main pedestrian entrance, additional class rooms and an improved external environment and playground facilities.

The process involved our landscape architects attending a number of consultation meeting with the school and a public exhibition. This helped to determine the school’s exact requirements and further refine our landscape architect’s brief. As the school catered for children of nursery, reception, key stage 1 and key stage 2 ages the landscape design was zoned into three distinct play areas. Our landscape architects ensured all sight lines were kept as clear as possible to enable members of staff to have clear views of the children at play times. The needs of parking and deliveries were considered carefully by our landscape architects to strike a balance between the need for on site parking and delivery vehicle’s ability to turn. The needs of parents dropping off and collecting children have also been considered giving them pleasant environments in which to wait, meet and chat.

There are numerous trees to the perimeter of the site. The majority of these were retained and their root protection zones were considered carefully by our landscape architects whilst designing the layout of the buildings and the landscape elements.

Star Lane Ph2, Great Wakering, Essex

Posted on by Justin Davis

Our landscape architects were appointed by a developer client to provide landscape related information to support an Outline Planning submission for this proposed 400 unit, 11ha, low density residential development.

This existing greenfield site is located at the edge of the Essex village of Great Wakering. To its north and east edges are the rear gardens of dwelling; to the south are existing lakes; and to the west are industrial units and the first phase of this development. The south boundary of this site abuts Green Belt land.

The landscape design for majority of the proposed public realm within this site adopts the principals of Home Zone, with carriageway and footway being on the same level. Our landscape architects encourage the adoption of this design principal to encourage slower vehicular speeds and to give the pedestrian priority. The benefit of this design tool can be slower vehicular traffic speeds, more space being given over to the pedestrian, with safe doorstep play becomes a real possibility within the built environment.

The overarching drainage strategy for this site adopts the principals of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). In this case the surface water from the carriageways and footways have been designed to drain into swales at the edges of strategic roads. This surface water can be drained into the swales at surface level and sub base level. As well as functioning as a sustainable drainage solution our landscape architect’s proposal use these swales to provide a valuable ecological resource for our native flora and fauna. This is achieved by the specification of plant material which is of native provenance.

Our landscape architects suggested a buffer zone between the proposed residential development and the existing wildlife zone, surrounding the lakes to the south. The landscape design for this buffer zone was to be in the form of an ecological park. It would enable residents within the vicinity of this park to have an accessible public open space and possibilities to enjoy wildlife close up.