HERITAGE LANDSCAPES
BRIDGE END GARDEN — SAFFRON WALDEN — Originally designed as a private Victorian garden, Bridge End Garden is now a popular and well-used public park close to the historic centre of Saffron Walden. When Uttlesford District Council and English Heritage planned to restore the garden and address the problems of neglect and vandalism, they invited Liz Lake Associates to help. Approach We were employed to prepare a full historic landscape survey and a costed conservation management plan. Our findings contributed to a submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Outcome This work contributed to the council’s successful submission for significant external funding with a grant of £387,000 from Heritage Lottery Fund and £150,000 from other bodies. We have subsequently prepared proposals for the walled garden which has also received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Client Uttlesford District Council & English Heritage
Location Saffron Walden
Historic Landscape Consultants Debois
Topiary regenerated over a number of years
Summerhouse with decorated ceiling
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A restored Victorian gem, voted best picnic spot in East Anglia
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TRUMPINGTON MEADOWS — CAMBRIDGE — Liz Lake Associates was commissioned to prepare the detailed landscape plans for the Trumpington Meadows residential development of 350 houses on the southern outskirts of Cambridge. The proposals include a diverse mix of housing types and range of community facilities set within a village framework of public open space, green corridors and streets, with community parks and sustainable urban drainage features. Approach A strong landscape framework was established within the overarching development vision and objectives identified within the existing Design Code. The village quarter character area was further defined with distinctive tree and shrub planting palettes focused about community open space areas, streetscape, local play areas and individual plot landscape. The public space and individual plot landscapes include a combination of native plants and seminative species, many of which are bee-friendly, with hedgerows and large trees (oak, lime) and smaller flowering trees such as wild cherry, Callery pear var. and rowan adding to the village character. Further to planning approval of the detailed planting scheme, Liz Lake Associates have continued to oversee the landscape implementation within the construction phase of the development. Outcome The majority of the residential properties have now been completed and the landscape framework is being implemented concurrently. The scheme, as it matures, will establish a rich and diverse setting within which this new community can live, work and play. Client Barratt Homes
Location Cambridge
RESIDENTIAL
Architects Saunders Partnership Architects
Mature planting retained where possible
Distinctive tree and shrub planting palette
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The scheme, as it matures, will establish a rich and diverse setting within which this new community can live, work and play.
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EDUCATION
CLARE HALL — CAMBRIDGE — Clare College is the second oldest in the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1326, it is now a college for Advanced Study. Liz Lake Associates was appointed by the client to help create a bespoke setting for a new, contemporary accommodation block designed by award-winning Cowper Griffith Architects. The existing swimming pool and grounds were to be incorporated into the overall project to ensure the new development proposals were acceptable to the council. Approach Liz Lake Associates developed a master plan which responded to the immediate context whilst ensuring the setting had a distinct character. The proposals include a new contemporary pedestrian courtyard which is overlooked from the new accommodation block and forms a new heart to the campus. Outcome The scheme was granted planning permission and we prepared production information for implementation on site. Client Clare College
Location Cambridge
Architect Cowper Griffiths
View from linked courtyard
Original 3D of central open space
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The masterplan is based upon a sustainable model with close links to the city centre, local schools and surrounding footpaths and by-ways
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EAST SQUARE URBAN GARDEN
— BASILDON - ESSEX —
Liz Lake Associates was appointed to prepare a detailed Public Realm Appraisal and Strategy Report for Basildon Town Centre to help deliver a new vision for its public realm as part of the biggest regeneration project in the UK in 2012. The dramatically sunken plaza of East Square is located in the heart of the town centre and comprises a largely intact set piece design from the early 1960s.East Square was originally designed as an integral part of the concept for the imposing 14-storey residential block of Brooke House and the squares key features (steps, ramp, flint retaining wall and railings) comprise part of its Grade 2 listing. East Square currently lacks sufficient activity to be really animated; it lacks a focus and features poor quality paving and street furniture. Approach The master plan proposals for the town centre replace the existing buildings on two sides of the square with a new cinema and shops. The square will be increased in size making space for the proposed urban garden, providing an oasis of green in the centre of the town, thereby respecting public consultation responses which have consistently called for more green space in the town centre. Recognising the importance of post-war design, the key themes for the proposals are to conserve and be sensitive to the setting of the existing heritage asset and to re-animate the original 60s vision, to transform the square into an exciting place for the 21st century.The proposed urban garden will be robustly designed, with inclined lawn planes, a border of scented planting and seating focusing on the central plaza pavement fountains. The detailing responds positively to the original features and context of the square. The proposed urban garden will break down the scale and hard expanse of the space whilst encouraging more intimate spaces and café culture to spill out onto the square. Outcome The masterplan for Basildon town centre has been ratified by Basildon Town Council and regeneration work is scheduled to begin in 2013.
Client Barratt Homes & Wilson Bowden
Location Basildon, Essex
PUBLIC REALM
Architect CZWG
Planners Barton Wilmore
Hard landscape detailing
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A new urban garden in the heart of Basildon’s town centre
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THAMES CHASE VISITOR CENTRE — LONDON — The Thames Chase Trust asked Liz Lake Associates for help in rethinking the setting of their Community Forest Visitor Centre in south Essex. A modern new building had been added to a traditional farm centre with utilitarian car parking. Design proposals were needed to link the buildings, provide better circulation, increase car parking and create an enhanced sense of arrival as well as solving serious drainage problems that were eroding the hard surfaces. Added to the issues was the presence of great crested newts, a European protected species. Approach The project involved several meetings with the Trustees to understand their long term objectives for the site: which buildings should remain and what they might be used for; how they envisioned developing the Centre and how the landscape design might further their aspirations on creating a corporate brand. Before any major design work was undertaken we worked with the engineers from Richard Jackson to develop a solution for the excess surface water that was causing a significant maintenance problem. Outcome A Landscape Master Plan was prepared and refined several times as the Trustees clarified their thinking. The great crested newts were a major issue and the design had to be adjusted to avoid major costs in translocation. The proposals were well received at a public consultation and the Trust is now using the plan as the basis of a planning application. Client Thames Chase Trust
Location Broadfields, Upminster
LEISURE
Engineer Richard Jackson Engineering Consultants
The visitor centre
School children enjoy the surrounding landscape
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Rethinking the setting of the Visitor Centre
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