Bayley Blyther Landscape Architecture Portfolio 2024

Our plant selection process for the long border project was intricately linked to our theme of change and the passage of time. We curated a color palette that transitioned from dark, muted hues representing the “past” to clear whites and greens for the “present,” and vibrant, abstract colors for the “future.” Each plant choice was carefully considered to complement the narrative arc, creating a cohesive and immersive experience that

St. James’ Square Visualisations

During my first year at university, I was keen on improving how I presented designs while exploring new technologies. I used SketchUp to plan St. James’ Square in Cheltenham, incorporating existing buildings to give context to my design. Early on, I realized that designing in 3D was crucial for truly understanding the space. I also experimented with collages to make my visuals more engaging. Additionally, I applied basic drawing skills I learned to create cross-sections and axonometric views, which I then polished using Photoshop. My goal was to make viewers feel like they were right there in St. James’ Square.

Barnwood Park, Gloucester

In my second year, I undertook a comprehensive project focusing on a single site, starting with strategic sustainable design and progressing to detailed construction planning.

1st SEM: I developed a preliminary site layout and design proposal incorporating site engineering, hydrology, phytoremediation, sustainable materials, and vegetation strategies. Key exercises included creating a hydrological strategy with SUDs components, a mood board for sustainable hard materials, and a vegetation strategy featuring phytoremediation and edible plants.

2nd SEM: Building on this foundation, I focused on delivering detailed hard and soft landscape plans for a selected area of my design. This involved creating construction documents and technical drawings at a 1:200 scale, detailing materials, planting typologies, access arrangements, and water drainage. The goal was to refine my design with sustainable principles and demonstrate my construction detailing skills. The final deliverables showcased an integrated approach to sustainable landscape architecture, from strategic design to technical execution.

Magnolia Court, FCH

In my first semester, I redesigned Magnolia Court, aiming to transform it into a welcoming, tranquil space for staff, students, and visitors. The design integrates sustainable materials and features, such as permeable paving and water elements, to enhance biodiversity and manage drainage. Emphasizing verticality and open spaces, the layout encourages relaxation and interaction while maintaining access to existing architectural features. Inspired by Feng Shui principles, the design blends traditional and modern elements, creating a harmonious environment with vibrant vegetation and thoughtful lighting to ensure the space is inviting both day and night.

North Place, Cheltenham

In my second semester of the second year, the project focused on refining and documenting complex design solutions for a selected site. The process began with reviewing strategic priorities from the Cheltenham Plan 2020 and the Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury Joint Core Strategy 2011-2031, which informed the development of the masterplan. I created key strategic layers, which I sketched on overlays and ranked in order of importance. These strategies were visually communicated through an A1 poster, effectively linking the site’s context to the proposed design. The final submission included a comprehensive A3 Design Report, detailing the design process, background research, site appraisal, and strategic policies, culminating in a thorough and professional presentation of the developed landscape design.

North Place, Cheltenham

The second part of the project involved producing detailed visualizations to illustrate the design’s impact and functionality. This included fully rendered and annotated site plans at 1:500 and 1:200 scales, site sections at 1:100 scale, and a series of sequential sketches that captured the project’s evolution. These visualizations, combined with supporting sketches, sections, and precedent images, provided a clear and compelling narrative of the design intentions. The visual elements were crucial in conveying the ambition and strategic thinking behind the project, ensuring that the design was both aesthetically pleasing and functionally robust.

Park Campus, University of Gloucestershire

In the first semester of my third year, the sustainable technology course focused on a pilot project for stormwater management and biodiversity enhancement. This project involved detailed volumetric earthworks calculations to integrate a stormwater attenuation pond into the existing site, alongside developing infrastructure planting strategies to boost habitat biodiversity. I calculated the biomass and carbon sequestration properties of the planting scheme at planting, 10 years, and 50 years using various tools. The submission included four precise A1 technical drawings: the existing site with habitat types and major trees identified, proposed earthworks plans and sections at a 1:500 scale, and an infrastructure planting plan at a 1:250 scale with detailed planting schedules. These visualizations were essential for demonstrating the project’s feasibility and ecological benefits.

Alney Island, Gloucester (Pre-design Phase)

“Look at the Lilies”, St. Aidan’s

The St. Aidan’s church site redevelopment brief calls for a transformation of the current grass area into a welcoming, safe, and sustainable space for both the congregation and the wider community. Inspired by the concept of ‘Seven Sacred Spaces’, derived from monastic faith tradition, the design should incorporate areas for personal reflection, worship, exercise, study, and hospitality, fostering spiritual engagement and holistic well-being while promoting inclusivity and community involvement. Specific requirements include accommodating a prefabricated building for facilities and addressing security concerns, integrating with adjacent spaces like the Oasis building and the MUGA. The design should also consider the partnership with ‘Cheltenham is Growing’ and adhere to a budget range of £30K - £100K (excluding the building), aiming to inspire innovative designs that foster discussion and collaboration.

In our collaborative effort, we drew inspiration from biblical symbolism, utilizing the lily as the foundational concept for the Seven Sacred Spaces. Safety and security were paramount, with meticulous planning to enhance sightlines and deter antisocial behavior, while strategic illumination created a serene ambiance while minimizing light pollution. Our design offers a range of communal spaces, from informal gatherings under the canopy of Salix babylonica to structured areas like the Chapter and Chapel, with features like the scriptorium and dedicated patio providing havens for exploration and respite. Incorporating historical elements, such as a Celtic knot overlay in the productive garden, and prioritizing inclusivity with varied planting bed heights, our design aims to ensure accessibility for all members of the community.

The RHS brief stipulated that this year’s theme was “making a statement,” emphasizing the need for a compact yet impactful space with a prominent focal point. In response, our initial approach involved a thorough integration of the brief. We convened to discuss our individual interpretations of what making a statement entails, brainstorming various ideas.

Initially, we gravitated towards a proportional design strategy, featuring a juxtaposition of large and small elements centered around the themes of industrialization and rewilding. However, our exploration soon led us down an intriguing path, branching into the realm of fairy tales. We contemplated the notion of crafting a “miniature” world, where tiny human figures would symbolize pollinators and ants, highlighting the concept of humans assuming nature’s roles in the aftermath of environmental devastation. Our vision included the creation of bug hotel-style structures to support this narrative.

To flesh out our concept, we delved into sketching and gathered inspiration from relevant images to refine our ideas further.

Make a Statement

Temporal Bloom Odyssey

Building upon our initial concept, we shifted our focus towards the theme of climate change and broader concepts of change. This pivotal decision sparked a phase of experimentation, where we delved into exploring various shapes, materials, and color palettes for both the overall border design and the central structures – our primary design focal points aimed at drawing people’s attention.

Our design process was driven by several key considerations, with a primary focus on creating dynamic visual interest withintheborder.Wecarefullyexperimentedwithalternate heights to introduce movement and contrast against the surrounding planting. Additionally, we paid particular attention to crafting an open “gateway” effect, strategically aligning the structures to provide viewers with enticing vistas to peer through. These deliberate design choices were aimed at enhancing the overall viewer experience and encouraging engagement with the project’s narrative.

We began exploring the overall color palettes of the border, focusing particularly on the planting colors and textures. Our aim was to showcase our narrative individually through the sculptures and planting, respectively, before bringing the two elements together in juxtaposition to enrich each other’s stories.

For the planting color palette, we sought to reflect the timeline, opting for dark purples, greys, and pops of white to symbolize the past. To depict the present, we chose clear whites, greens, and grasses. Finally, we embraced bright and abstract colors to signify the unpredictable future.

Following our decision to center the design around interlinking the structures, we delved deeper into the experimentation phase, focusing on refining the design of these pivotal elements. Our attention turned to considerations of proportionality and the visual impact of the “gateway” concept.

The creation of an opening served a dual purpose: not only did it offer a perspective for people to traverse through the site, but it also symbolized an “eye-opener” moment. This symbolic gesture aimed to heighten viewers’ awareness of the people and environment surrounding them, offering a fresh perspective that might lead to new insights and self-reflection.

In line with this theme of perspective, we began contemplating the idea of incorporating a survey element into the design. This survey would serve to collect a diverse range of statements reflecting the public’s various perspectives on our theme. We envisioned incorporating these statements as a written design element, enriching the project’s narrative and encouraging viewers to engage with the multitude of perspectives surrounding the theme of change and climate awareness.

Temporal Bloom Odyssey

As

Upon deliberation, we resolved to fashion three frames interwoven with wires, symbolizing “portals”

Furthermore, we sought to convey deeper meanings through the density of strings within the portals. We intended for this visual element to symbolize the myriad choices we encounter in life, illustrating how delving into the past can influence our present and future decisions. By integrating these symbolic elements, we aimed to create an immersive experience that prompts introspection and fosters a deeper understanding of the complexities of human existence within the context of time.

Temporal Bloom Odyssey

Jessica Richardson, Ashley Woollaston, Bayley Blyther

Temporal Bloom Odyssey

RHS Tatton Park Garden Border 2024

200 words submission

Step into the enchanting world of the “Temporal Bloom Odyssey,” a visionary project transcending traditional gardening, captivating the imagination. This innovative endeavor invites visitors on a transformative journey through time, where the narrative of past, present, and future unfolds amidst a breathtaking tapestry of plantings and structures.

In the “Past,” evoking historical reverence with solemn hues of black, white, and dark shades achieved by plants. Weathered wood and charred metal portals serve as gateways, with bursts of colorful wire hinting at future vibrancy amidst past solemnity.

Transitioning to the “Present,” the landscape pulsates with movement and uncertainty, symbolized by grassy, flowing plants swaying with the wind. Minimalist portals reflect the current simplicity, juxtaposed against a dark centerpiece, offering contemplation amidst possibility.

Finally, the “Future” bursts forth with vibrant color and abstract textures, embodying boundless potential and innovation. Metal, wood, and wire structures herald a kaleidoscope of possibilities ahead.

Through seamless integration of structure and planting, the “Temporal Bloom Odyssey” invites people on a profound journey through time, where past, present, and future converge in a harmonious symphony of growth and change.

Jessica Richardson, Ashley Woollaston, Bayley Blyther

Abstract

Green infrastructure, encompassing parks, open spaces, and natural elements within urban areas, plays a crucial role in placemaking and shaping the cultural dynamics of communities. This dissertation conducts a cross-cultural comparative analysis of green infrastructure implementation in Balinese and English villages to understand how it influences cultural dynamics and community well-being. Balinese villages, deeply rooted in cultural and ecological wisdom, contrast with English villages, which adhere to a more conventional Western urban planning model. The study explores the impact of green infrastructure on cultural identity, community interactions, access disparities, and the challenges of urban planning in both contexts. By examining the national policy context, specific green infrastructure projects, and local community perspectives, this dissertation aims to shed light on the broader implications of green infrastructure implementation on cultural dynamics.

CONTACT

Email: s4103145@glos.ac.uk

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ bayley-blyther-466a23233

Francis Close Hall, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ