FutureArc September 2018 by Eljays44

SEPTEMBER 2018

Meyer Homes Garden square living in St Albans

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Liverpool One The city's retail redevelopment

The interview Adam White of Davies White Ltd

Focus on planters Stylish designs for commercial schemes

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DESIGN TANK PHOTO ADAM STIRLING

Parklet 2.0

Design: SOLA, Johan Verde & Hong Ngo-Aandal

vestre.co.uk

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WELCOME

WELCOME Welcome to the September issue of FutureArc. In this month’s issue we feature the striking £1bn Liverpool One project which has had a hugely regenerative eﬀect on the Merseyside city. We also take a look at the £45m development of three new schools aiming to transform SEMH provision in Leeds. We also speak with a housing developer that is putting a new twist on the concept of garden square living. Our international piece highlights a sustainable development in China which involved the regeneration of an abandoned village. Closer to home, our regular portfolio section includes an unusual project involving the creation of a landscaped habitat for Amur Tigers at Knowsley Safari Park along with details of an awardwinning hotel and public realm development in London’s historic Southwark. We also have special features on bespoke planters, composite decking and the advantages of sourcing large tree orders from UK suppliers. Here at FutureArc, we look forward to hearing all your news and if you have any interesting projects, please get in touch. Enjoy the read… Gill Langham Features editor gill.langham@eljays44.com

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WELCOME

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CONTENTS

16 NEWS

FEATURES

PORTFOLIOs

MATERIALS

COMPOSITE DECKING

UP ON THE ROOF

MATURE TREES

FOCUS ON PLANTERS

NEWS A roundup of the latest industry news from around the UK

10 PODIUM AWARDS A new awards scheme celebrating the UK podium sector

INTERVIEW Adam White Davies White Ltd

TRADITION REVIVED LIVERPOOL LIFT OFF A look at Liverpool One

LEARNING LANDSCAPES Three new SEMH schools

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Hotel scheme in historic Southwark by LT Studio

Meyer Homes

BOROUGH HIGH STREET KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK The new Amur tiger habitat project in Liverpool by Cass Associates and Horticon

PHOENIX LAKE VILLAGE Rural regeneration in Rizhao, China by Guanzhuscape

The benefits of choosing this type of flooring for your rooftop projects

Close up look at composite decking case studies

Why sourcing stock from the UK is the safest option

Contemporary designs for commercial schemes

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WELCOME

34 EDITORIAL Features Editor – Gill Langham gill.langham@eljays44.com Managing Editor – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com PRODUCTION Subeditor – Kia Wilson kia.wilson@eljays44.com Design: Kara Thomas

SALES Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Sales Manager – Jessica McCabe jessica.mccabe@eljays44.com Sales Executive – Ellie Yapicioz ellie.yapicioz@eljays44.com MANAGEMENT Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com

Eljays44 Ltd

3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 2DA Tel: 01903 777 570 Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Connecting Horticulture Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK The 2018 subscription price for FutureArch is £125. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

Whilst every eﬀort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine. We also wish to emphasise that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.

Cover image ©David Thrower

Editorial Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com

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NEWS

NEWS Peabody granted planning permission for two hectares of public realm Peabody has been granted planning permission from the London Borough of Bexley to transform two hectares of public realm in Thamesmead. The first phase of the project will concentrate on Portmeadow Walk in Southmere and Mangold Way and Redpoll Way in Parkview. Usable

outdoor spaces for the public will be created with new seating, colourful planting, improved pathway lighting and attractive landscaped gardens. Dr Phil Askew, director of landscape & placemaking

P7 News P10 Podium Awards

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at Peabody, says: “This is the first phase of our South Thamesmead public realm project and we’re so pleased to see it moving ahead. Our plans are going to improve the walkways and green spaces with new planting that will encourage biodiversity and nectar feeding insects as well as introduce colour. We have had really positive feedback from our public realm trials which we’ve fed into our final plan.” Deputy leader and cabinet member for growth, Cllr Louie French says: “This is more good news for Thamesmead and regeneration in the borough. It is a great scheme that will make a really positive difference to the look and feel of the area for local people once it is complete.” The project is expected to be onsite early next year. www.peabody.org.uk

Tyréns UK appoints Paul Fraser as director of landscape architecture

Paul Fraser, a landscape architect and urban designer, has joined Tyréns UK to head up the growing landscape team of the company. An urban designer and chartered landscape architect, Paul has experience in international masterplanning, landscape and urban design projects including design leadership. Paul previously worked at SSH and Atkins where he held principal roles and with the former built the landscape business, growing four studio teams on three continents and assuming overall leadership of their technical operations and project delivery. Speaking about his appointment, Paul says: “The pressures on our towns and cities today mean it’s never been more important to develop sensitive, integrated, and inspiring placemaking and design solutions. Tyréns is fantastically well placed to help shape the future of our built environment, and I’m very excited about being a part of the business.” www.tyrens-uk.com

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NEWS

Outline planning permission granted for the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus

Grant Associates is part of the design team that has helped secure outline planning permission for the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. The design team includes architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, engineering consultants Buro Happold and Arup, and landscape architects Grant Associates. The team was commissioned by infrastructure consultancy Aecom to develop a masterplan for the new campus that covers

a seven-acre site next to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. Andrew Grant, director at Grant Associates, says: “We are excited by the special landscape and public realm design opportunities for this site. This is a key development not just for the University of Bristol but for the city’s businesses, residents and visitors. Our aim is to fulfil the University’s vision of creating a welcoming campus that also offers inspiring public spaces and takes full advantage of its waterfront location.” www.grant-associates.uk.com

UBU choose ACO stormwater tanks as tree pit solution at Rushden Lakes Landscape architects UBU chose ACO Water Management’s StormBrixx geocellular stormwater attenuation and soakaway crates as tree pits at the £140m Rushden Lakes retail and leisure complex in Northamptonshire to promote tree growth. ACO StormBrixx geocellular attenuation and infiltration crates are regularly used as part of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to collect and hold stormwater before slowly releasing the water back into the environment via attenuation. In the Rushden Lakes project, they were used in a different way, as UBU – the landscape architects for the project – identified ACO StormBrixx as adaptable for use as tree pits.

Mark Johnson, from UBU, says: “The high void capacity crates were ideal in allowing root growth and were strong enough to protect against load stresses from trafficked areas above. The flexible structure also meant we could put together various designs for different areas of the site.” The second phase of the Rushden Lakes development is set to be completed by early 2019. www.ubu-design.co.uk

Glasgow Harbour Lifestyle Outlet submitted for an Approval of Matters Planning Application Glasgow Harbour Lifestyle Outlet has been submitted for an Approval of Matters Specified in Condition planning application. Gillespies have been working for Peel Lifestyle Outlets and a team, including Glasgow based ADF Architects, to prepare the designs. The proposals will create a 350,000 sq ft mixed-use development at Glasgow Harbour, located close to Glasgow’s West End and next to the existing Riverside Museum.

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The project aims to become a waterfront destination on the river Clyde and will include retail space, restaurants, cafes, a waterfront promenade, a new cinema, gym, leisure facilities, public square and event space. Gillespies have worked closely with the architects and client to create a carefully considered interface between the architecture and public realm. Peel Lifestyle Outlets aim to complete the project by 2021. www.gillespies.co.uk

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04/09/2018 08:37

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NEWS

PODIUM AWARDS an exciting new awards scheme celebrating the designers, landscape architects, landscapers and products behind podium landscapes HAS BEEN LAUNCHED BY OUR SISTER PUBLICATION, PRO LANDSCAPER MAGAZINE. Podium Awards will highlight, recognise and share the excellent work that is currently – or has been – at the forefront of the UK podium sector. managing director Jim Wilkinson goes into detail. Can you tell us more about what the Podium Awards are? Everywhere you look, especially in urban areas, there is more and more emphasis on podium landscapes, both in commercial and domestic environments. There are many benefits that podium landscapes offer – they give people in built up areas open air and space to sit, they’re great for the environment and they allow the opportunity to have outstanding spaces in an unusual environment. We feel that it is a sector in the landscaping industry that has previously been overlooked and we want to bring it to the forefront and celebrate podium landscapes. The awards will focus on the ability to showcase excellent core skills, meet the client’s brief, effective

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use of products and plants and innovative use of logistics. Where did the inspiration come from to launch these awards? Our inspiration for these awards came from walking around Kings Cross and seeing the unbelievable developments happening on top of the oﬃce buildings. It’s a shame that more people don’t get to see them – the technique, ability and quality of the design is phenomenal. We believe that it’s our duty to share what is happening in domestic and commercial environments, and highlight the creativity and quality of the design and construction of these landscapes. Who can enter the awards? The awards are aimed at landscape architects, landscapers and designers whose projects have been completed by 1 October 2018. The awards are split into ﬁve main categories: commercial design, domestic design, commercial build, domestic

AWARDS For the UK’s domestic and commercial rooftop projects build and outstanding podium products. The ﬁfth category is for a product or service that has helped revolutionise or solve a problem for the podium landscape sector. Currently we don’t know who the judges will be, but we will have a wide variety of judges from people in construction, garden designers, landscape architects and property developers. When will the winners be announced? Entry into the awards will close on 1 December 2018 with the shortlist being announced in the February issue of Pro Landscaper. The winners will be announced at our new event Futurescape Spring held in March 2019. The winners will receive recognition

from Pro Landscaper, allowing them to showcase their fantastic projects. We will be creating a supplement with all the winner’s designs, construction plans and pictures to celebrate their achievements. Who is the headline sponsor? Our headline sponsor for Podium Awards is Bourne Amenity, who we are really excited to have on board. They share our vision of how important this sector is, and they are already developing products and working with landscape architects, landscapers and designers on building podiums. For more information about Podium Awards please email: amber.bernabe@eljays44.com

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FEATURES P12 Interview Adam White, Davies White Ltd

P16 Tradition Revived Meyer Homes on garden square living

P21 Liverpool Lift off The Merseyside city centre transformed

P26 Learning Landscapes Three new SEMH schools in Leeds

INTERVIEW

ADAM WHITE FutureArc speaks to the new President of the Landscape Institute, Adam White ON Why HE decided to #ChooseLandscape What will you look to achieve during your time as president? My main focus will be on promoting the profession to a much younger audience – encouraging people to choose a career as a landscape professional. I was delighted to launch the new Landscape Institute campaign called #chooselandscape at the President’s Reception on the 4 July at the Garden Museum in London. The website is now live and features a short ﬁlm about choosing a career as a landscape professional www.chooselandscape.org I would like to see our industry work more closely together, share best practice, encourage members

to network together and celebrate what we have in common and what makes us all different too. To me, horticulture is what makes the landscape industry so special, it is one of the few tools we have that makes us stand out. I am keen to see the benefits of planting design, ecology and horticulture celebrated more in the public realm. I am delighted to say the first step in addressing this has been achieved and we now have a Planting Design Award category in the Landscape Institute Awards for 2018. How did you first become interested in landscape architecture? I remember as a six-year-old growing cress and mustard on my windowsill and being fascinated by seeing a seed germinate and grow. At school the two topics I enjoyed most were design and geology. I knew back then that I wanted to be a landscape architect,

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I just didn’t know the profession existed. I described the profession to my careers advisor and surprise surprise, the careers advisor had no idea about it either. They kept telling me I wanted to be a gardener, or an architect, or a countryside manager, but I didn’t, I wanted to be a mixture of all of those. I went to Reaseheath College which is an agricultural and horticultural college in Cheshire. I joined the Countryside Studies course and thoroughly enjoyed it. It gave me my first glimpse of a career as a landscape architect. I ended up heading to Manchester Metropolitan University to study landscape architecture. I would have found the #chooselandscape campaign and the website www. chooselandscape.org really useful back then. If there was an apprenticeship in landscape architecture, I would have genuinely considered that too. I am therefore delighted to be involved in developing this alternative route into the landscape profession and look forward to its launch in the near future. What did you do after your studies? I worked for a local authority in Barnsley in South Yorkshire for a couple of years, under the past president of the Landscape Institute Andrew Bannister. I then returned to Manchester to complete my post graduate diploma followed by a stint working with a housing developer. I then saw an opportunity to work for the environmental charity Groundwork in Lincolnshire. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as the trust’s coastal regeneration officer; I designed and managed the delivery of some really interesting projects stretching from the Humber in the north of the county to the Wash near Boston in the south. It was here I saw the benefit of genuine community engagement during the design process, which is something I still value and believe should be factored into every landscape project.

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I eventually ended up migrating to London where I worked for Groundwork for another ﬁve years before leaving and establishing my own landscape architectural practice with fellow exGroundwork landscape architect Andrée Davies.

How did you start your own business? In 2007, Andrée and I created our ﬁrst RHS Gold Medal show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show called Playscape. The aim was to help reconnect children with nature through play. When we met at Groundwork we clicked instantly, we both had the same passion about the natural world and same reasons why we decided to #chooselandscape. We are a partnership and that is so important, we work very well together and everything we have achieved is because of our complementary skills. For the last 10 years we have been creating ﬂagship nature play spaces across the UK. We have worked for the National Trust, RSPB, English Heritage, Royal Parks and Forestry Commission, along with numerous local authorities. Our projects now stretch from the shores of Loch Lomond to the coast of Southampton. In 2017 we were invited back to RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show to create another show garden. We were keen to promote the value of therapeutic landscapes to a much wider audience, so we made the decision to go back for our 10-year anniversary. We worked with Caudwell Children,

“I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR INDUSTRY WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER, SHARE BEST PRACTICE, ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO NETWORK TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON AND WHAT MAKES US ALL DIFFERENT TOO”

1 Gardens by the Bay designed by Grant Associates 2 Adam talks to visitors at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

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I spoke to three of the most important people in my life, my partner Sarah, my mum, and Andrée my business partner. Being president will have an impact on all of those people. They all gave their blessing and their support and told me I should do it. I have known the past president Merrick Denton Thompson OBE for a number of years and enjoyed my year as president elect shadowing and supporting him. I am delighted and reassured to know that he will be continuing to promote the profession at a policy and government level whilst continuing to be an active member of the board. I have to tip my cap to our board and the team at the Landscape Institute, they have all been very supportive and welcoming to me.

3 a charity who support children with autism, and with the sponsors Zoflora who bought into our values. The garden was called the Zoflora and Caudwell Children’s Wild Garden.

4 3 A dam explains how models are used to help design play spaces 4 A visitor to a Davies White designed Wild garden tries out the trampoline All images ©Nick Harrison Photography

Davies White Ltd Davies White Ltd is an award winning chartered landscape architects practice whose mission is to help reconnect families with nature. They have delivered projects from the shores of Loch Lomond to the coast of Southampton, including the Commonwealth Games Legacy Park in Glasgow and Lyric Theatre Roof Garden, London. W: www.davieswhite.co.uk

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How did that go? We knew it was going to be good, but we didn’t expect to win an RHS Gold Medal, RHS People’s Choice Award, and RHS Best in Show. It meant the judges got it and people at home did too, that was an amazing feeling. People are now asking us about what horticulture and landscape can do for mental health, accessibility, inclusion, and learning. The latest example of this is being commissioned by the RHS to create a new Wild at Wisley Children’s Garden at RHS Wisley in Surrey. Why did you decide to stand for presidency of the Landscape Institute? In 2012 I was made a Fellow of the Landscape Institute for my work promoting more accessible and inclusive playful landscapes, designed through a genuine community engagement process. I have always been a keen supporter of the Landscape Institute and co-hosted the annual awards for four years and represented them on the Government’s Play Policy Forum. It has been said a few times to me that I should run and I have always said I am not old enough, you have got to be an elder statesman of the profession, but people turned around and said the profession needs someone like me with my vibrancy and energy.

What are your goals? One of the most pressing challenges for the Landscape Institute is that the landscape profession is experiencing a skills shortage at a time when the sector is growing steadily. In order to help inspire more people into the profession, I intend to provide support and leadership through the new #chooselandscape campaign. I believe this is going to be instrumental in promoting the different routes into the profession, providing a cohesive approach to ensure a diverse and healthy workforce for the future. Our profession is at the interface between natural systems, people and place, it is what makes us different from many other professions. We are therefore perfectly positioned to help tackle two challenges that remain close to my heart, plant blindness and nature deficit disorder. The work we do at Davies White Ltd focuses on addressing these issues and I would like to see the awareness and understanding of them increase. How are you going to engage with younger people? I would question how many careers advisors genuinely know what the landscape profession is. The new campaign #chooselandscape is the perfect resource for anyone to find out what opportunities are out there. I will be directing everyone I meet to the www.chooselandscape.org website, encouraging those interested to become #chooselandscape ambassadors. For those that follow me they will know I love social media and I’m active on Twitter and Instagram via @davies_white. I’d encourage more of our industry to join the conversation, sharing their stories using the hashtag #chooselandscape.

www.futurearc.co.uk

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A bridge of signs. Great Howard Street Bridge, Liverpool.

Client: Liverpool City Council. Landscape Architects: BCA, Liverpool. Designers: Smiling Wolf, Liverpool. Contractor: Graham Construction, Manchester. Hardscape supplied: Artscape masonry sandblasted and painted concrete walling.

For further information on our hard-landscaping products please visit: www.hardscape.co.uk or telephone: 01204 565 500.

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FEATURES

TRADITION REVIVED Award-winning developers Meyer Homes have put a new twist on the centuries-old concept of garden square livinG

reen space literally sits at the heart of Gabriel Square, an award-winning development in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The 52 townhouses and 28 apartments of Meyer Homes’ flagship project surround a central, landscaped green studded with sculptures. “Gabriel Square seeks to make a connection between nature and modern living within the peaceful setting of St Albans,” explains the company’s managing director, James Moody. Founded in 2015, residential specialists Meyer Homes set out to create design-driven, sustainable developments that fit seamlessly with their surroundings and “leave a lasting legacy on communities.” Their vision for Gabriel Square was to combine what James calls “the iconic layouts of grand Georgian and Victorian garden squares” with sleek architecture, modernist interiors and clean, bold landscaping. Green space was thus integral to the fabric of the project from the very outset. “The starting point was to create somewhere that looked great, that people were happy to come home to, and wanted to enjoy with their family and friends,” says Laura Bradley of Bradley Murphy Design, the Warwickshire-based landscape architects that Meyer Homes brought on board to work on the development. Like the garden squares of the past, the St Albans’ scheme has specifically been designed “as a place in which residents can meet and interact,” explains James. At the same time, adds Laura, good landscaping should always “enhance [people’s] appreciation of where they

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FEATURES

live.” For example, the huge table that takes pride of place in Gabriel Square’s central green is not only a “great spot for picnics where people can sit all together, promoting the idea of communal gathering,” but also a striking focal point. However, continues Laura, the St Albans’ design is hardly prescriptive. Instead, she and her colleagues created a flexible space that lends itself to a variety

“GABRIEL SQUARE SEEKS TO MAKE A CONNECTION BETWEEN NATURE AND MODERN LIVING WITHIN THE PEACEFUL SETTING OF ST ALBANS” of uses and thus meets the needs of a broad range of people – whether families seeking tranquillity and a better quality of life or younger professionals looking for designer homes close to the local train station. So their “simple, clean and straightforward” scheme, which features a restricted palette of colours and materials, incorporates “smaller, more intimate seating areas that allow a bit of privacy” for those who prefer it. It also features a good mix of formal and informal relaxation areas. “A network of interconnected paths and seating are set against a backdrop of structural evergreen planting, semi-mature trees and green lawns,” Laura notes. “These combine to create pockets of different space for picnicking, entertaining

or just enjoying a book in the shade.” But because green space can only succeed if it works well with the context around it, the landscaping choices at Gabriel Square go hand in hand with the development’s minimalist architecture – devised by Benson + Forsyth – and the modernist interiors created by Conran & Partners. “Our ethos is to make sure we connect the outdoor space as well as the building itself, with the local area and its people,” says James. “We spend a lot of time and effort ensuring that the design, specification and look of the interiors for our properties is first-class and appropriate to the location and market. The same applies to exterior and landscaping design. The look and feel of any landscaping must complement the scheme and also feel a part of it rather than an after-thought.” The landscape, advises Laura, “works with the built form to create a sequence of public and private spaces that complement and enhance the residential setting.”

Laura Bradley www.futurearc.co.uk

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FEATURES

In particular, the planting scheme was carefully selected to set off the buildings’ limestone cladding, a material that, in turn, pays homage to St Albans’ magnificent cathedral. “It’s quite light and needed to be complemented by relatively strong colours,” Laura explains. So Bradley Murphy Design worked on a palette that would change with the seasons but always provide a visual counterpoint to the cladding’s pale hue. “Our mix includes plenty of formal hedging – box, yew and hornbeam – to create structure. The yew and the box will give colour all the way through the year and the hornbeam retains its leaves so you’ll still get structure in the winter, albeit with a different texture and colour. Then we have got perennials and grasses that have a softer palette. We are bringing forward oranges and bronze foliage in the later months of the year and they are offset with much lighter greens and purples earlier on.” A streamlined, integrated bench wraps the planting in a stone-clad embrace, echoing the architecture, and natural play features – at the southern end of the square – soften the look, while ensuring local children are kept entertained. In the evening, bespoke lighting adds an extra dimension to the landscaping.

5 Alongside the main courtyard, Gabriel Square residents have either their own private gardens or access to communal gardens. “The communal gardens to the rear of some of the private houses have been designed for younger professionals, so they have got private courtyards at lower-ground level that then step up out onto much broader communal space, which has seating, mature trees, sculpture and a variety of different plants,” says Laura. “It appeals to different people at different times – you have spaces for all seasons.” Scattered across the development are Gabriel Square’s crowning glories: three sculptures by Chelsea award-winner David Harber. The pieces –

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4 Harmonic Series, Torus and Sundial – reference all the key principles that informed Meyer Homes’ approach to the project: garden square living, contemporary aesthetics and a nod to St Alban’s heritage. Channelling the spirit of London’s grand garden squares, Harber’s installations use open space to create “a cultural legacy for the future,” according to James. Strategically positioned at the entrance of the complex, Harmonic Series is a stainless-steel wall sculpture whose waves allude to the sounds of Gabriel Bell, a local landmark. Harber’s iconic Torus piece takes pride of place in the development’s central green. Made of mirror-polished stainless steel, this circle, which has a void in the middle, reflects its surroundings, echoing Meyer Homes’ view of Gabriel Square as a shared environment. The third sculpture is a bronze armillary sundial, customised with bespoke engravings, which surveys the rear gardens. “Together, [David Harber and Bradley Murphy Design] have created a green oasis within a city environment that focuses on providing a sense of community,” notes James. Perhaps best of all, though, the landscaping at the St Albans development has been conceived to grow and evolve with the community it serves. “The design work that we do has a built-in flexibility that allows [the landscape] to change with time and with those who use it,” says Laura. “St Albans is a great scheme. It’s created something special at the heart of what is a beautiful set of homes.”

“SCATTERED ACROSS THE DEVELOPMENT ARE GABRIEL SQUARE’S CROWNING GLORIES: THREE SCULPTURES BY CHELSEA AWARDWINNER DAVID HARBER” 1, 2 ,3 D avid Harber’s mirror-polished stainless steel ‘Torus’ 4 A view of David Harber’s sundial sculpture 5 The communal landscaped gardens at Gabriel Square

MEYER HOMES Established in 2015, Meyer Homes specialise in residential developments and mixeduse sustainable regeneration schemes across Greater London and the South of England. W: www.meyerhomes.com

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04/09/2018 12:05

INTRODUCING THE BRAND NEW INDUSTRY AWARDS AWARDS For the UK’s domestic and commercial rooftop projects

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FEATURES

LEARNING LANDSCAPES

Chris Raven, a senior landscape architect and Learning Through Landscapes (LTL) advisor, discusses the Â£45 million development of three new schools aiming to transform SEMH provision in Leeds

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FEATURES

project to provide exemplar facilities that redefine the Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) agenda has been carried out at three new schools in Leeds by SNC Lavalin’s Atkins Business (Atkins). Each school has been designed to accommodate up to 100 pupils with SEMH needs. Atkins were commissioned to design the new schools for 11 to 16-year-olds in the north, south and east of the city. Explaining the concept behind the project, Chris Raven says: “Historically, specialist provision for young people with ‘challenging behaviour’ basically involved removing them from mainstream schools and placing them in segregated, often poorly repurposed, facilities. “However, these young people require settings that are specially designed to their specific needs; that nurtures and empowers them and supports their development.” The client, Leeds LEP, undertook extensive research to identify best practice SEMH provision nationally and chose the award-winning model that Atkins established when designing Springwell Special Academy, in Barnsley. By working with Wellspring Academy Trust (WAT) and refining this brief further, the three new schools build on the experience gained designing Springwell and offered scope to make further improvements. Scott Jacques, executive principal at Springwell Leeds Academy, explains how the project involved close co-operation between their partners at Atkins, Leeds City Council and Interserve.“We quickly developed a common understanding of the vision, which was to ensure that the city has access to world class provision for children with social, emotional and mental health needs. We have been fully involved from the outset in ensuring that facilities have been developed with the needs of the students at the centre of the process, and the buildings fully reflect this. They offer the flexibility, space and security to support the SEMH needs of our students, whilst giving them access to the facilities they require.”

8 easy transition from inside to out, with free flow to a variety of outside resources, allowing many aspects of the syllabus to be taught in multiple ways outdoors. There are also a number of flexible gathering spaces near the classrooms which can be used for practical ‘life skills’ lessons and group activities, calm-down, dining, play and/or socialising. Multiple external educational resources have been designed to inspire and allow kinaesthetic learning. Each school also has an area enclosed by hedging, which subtly segregates the space where pupils go under supervision. Here pupils can grow food using the raised growing beds, water source and polytunnels; can master animal husbandry using the chicken enclosures; and learn about wildlife and biodiversity using the pond, dipping platform and wildlife planting. Trim trail equipment and natural features, including logs, willow tunnels and boulders, encourage informal play, exercise and socialising. Each school also offers high quality sports facilities, with an all-weather 3G and drained grass pitch along with a multi-use games area (MUGA). Careful consideration was given to the arrangement of external

“MULTIPLE EXTERNAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO INSPIRE AND ALLOW KINAESTHETIC LEARNING”

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ultifunctional gathering space M Horticultural area B oulevard of trees and wildflowers C hickens, pond and growing area C ommunity use 3G pitch Sensory planting Seating area V isualisation of North Leeds site S ketch of an internal courtyard

External design development Within SEMH settings teaching is tailored to individual pupil needs and there is an emphasis on learning through physical activity rather than simply listening or watching, explains Chris. “As an LTL advisor, I am passionate about taking curriculum activities outside of the traditional classroom and WAT are strong advocates of the proven physical, emotional and intellectual wellbeing benefits of external activities,” he says. As a result, each school was designed to allow

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FEATURES

spaces to ensure good connectivity, high levels of passive supervision, avoidance of disturbance to neighbours and suitable access to storage facilities to allow ease of outside activities. Atkins’ involvement included the full design process, from initial brief development, guided tours of Springwell provision and individual site analysis; through assessment of BB104 guidelines for SEND design and development of concept masterplans, to planning submission and production of detailed technical drawings and specifications. The company worked closely with their in-house architects to develop the best possible layouts for each site, maximising site opportunities in terms of microclimate, solar gain and biodiversity and minimising adverse impacts, for example by equalising cut and fill. Day in the life scenarios ‘Day in the life’ scenarios were used in the way Atkins approached the design of the schools.“We believe design approaches in all contexts, but especially in SEMH settings, should anticipate ‘day in the life’ user scenarios. At each school the sequence of arrival and entry was a key consideration. “Children arrive in individual taxis, alighting on a plaza where teachers warmly greet pupils, sheltered under a generous canopy. This reassuring ritual sequence reinforces a sense of welcome and familiarity and natural materials, including timber and planting, help reinforce this as a homely place,” explains Chris. Internal courtyards Teachers lead pupils to their ‘homebase’, which includes a calm, quiet and protective courtyard. These provide ‘cooling-off’ space and encourage small group learning activities through their layout, planting and furniture. They also allow for the restorative benefits of seeing nature and green space to spread into the building, providing natural light and air, which reduces physical discomfort and lack of concentration. Four brightly coloured ‘tepee’ structures are found in each courtyard. Internally these allow 3D projection and immersive learning experiences; externally they project above the main building and create points of interest.

SEMH design challenges Access There were challenges associated with providing welcoming, safe, legible and efficient pedestrian and vehicular access. Due to high staff to pupil ratios,

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SEMH

10 schools require relatively extensive parking provision; each school has 70 parking spaces, eight visitor and two disabled parking bays. Security These school grounds need to be secure and robust, as SEMH students can have difficulties regulating their emotional responses which can lead to inappropriate behaviour, yet they also need to look and feel non-institutional. This was achieved through careful product specification and detailed design so the grounds and boundaries feel welcoming, homely and nurturing. The procurement process Atkins were appointed by Leeds LEP as lead consultant for RIBA Stages 1–4 before being novated to Interserve Construction Limited (ICL) as construction delivery partner. ICL were principal contractor for all three schools, which were constructed in sequence, East Leeds opening in January 2018, South in April 2018 and North in August 2018. This allowed construction related lessons to be passed from one school to the other. Conclusion The opportunity for Leeds LEP to take the highly regarded Springwell school as their model, work with the original designers and evolve the design based on detailed post-occupancy evaluation, enabled them to create their own model for SEMH learning. Scott Jacques, from Springwell Leeds Academy, concludes: “The students and staff are already feeling the benefits of working in these unique environments.”

11 10 M ultifunctional internal courtyard pre-planting establishment 11 Augmented reality effectively used during consultation All images ©David Millington Photography Ltd & Atkins

Atkins Atkins has extensive experience working in the education sector, including 10 years acting as technical advisers to the Department for Education and nine regional government offices. The company has a thorough working knowledge of DfE design guidance and specific legislation relating to Special Educational Needs (SEN) schemes. W: www.atkinsglobal.com

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03/09/2018 16:14

Pro Landscaper podiums products - half-page ad.pdf

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PORTFOLIOS

PORTFOLIO

P30 Borough High Street LT Studio

P34 Knowsley Safari Park Cass Associates

P37 Phoenix Lake Village, China Guanzhuscape

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BOROUGH HIGH STREET LONDON LT Studio

n award-winning hotel and public realm development in London’s historic Southwark has been delivered by LT Studio Landscape Architects working with LTS Architects. Undertaken for clients King’s College London, the Borough High Street Hotel scheme is a sensitive and sustainable redevelopment with historic yards reintroduced as public realm. Key to the landscape proposals is a public courtyard created by widening Spur Inn Yard, sensitively designed to reference the historic inn yards of Southwark. The external spaces provide access to the new hotel and retail units, while Spur Inn Yard is now a flexible public space connecting further external spaces across the King’s College Estate. As the site is located within a Conservation Area, consideration has been given to scale, materials and proportions. The landscape proposals restore the historic yards using high quality durable materials throughout; the original granite setts have been reclaimed and carefully stored off-site during construction before being carefully relaid. Existing surface finishes have been reinforced with the introduction of linear lighting elements at ground level which provide interest and a visual continuity to the yards. Semi-mature deciduous trees and a series of living walls at building edges have been introduced to enhance the visual character of

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PORTFOLIO

Project value £14m Client King’s College London Architect LTS Architects Landscape architect LT Studio Build time Two years Size of project 0.15ha Awards NLA winner 2017 Hotel and Hospitality category 1 E nhanced public realm with high quality planting 2 Views into site – granite setts restored and relaid 3 Views from hotel dining space

LT Studio

LT Studio Landscape Architects create innovative, striking and sustainable spaces. The company’s client list includes councils, community interest companies, developers and universities. The studio has experience of landscape design for commercial, public realm, residential and mixed-use developments in London and across the UK. W: www.ltstudio.co.uk

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PORTFOLIO

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PORTFOLIO

the spaces. Green roofs with a seasonal variety of plant species have been introduced to improve local biodiversity. Furniture elements were key inclusions within the landscape, including carefully selected benches, cycle stands and signage which add to the consistent character of the site. Planting throughout is high quality and has been carefully selected to suit the urban grain of the environment. Marc Dix, director of LT Studio landscape architects, says: “The historic importance of the site has been acknowledged in the sensitive approach to the landscape design. A series of distinct but interconnected vibrant spaces have been created that revitalise the historic yards with active uses and frontages, restoring this important part of London for public use.” The development includes a new 99-room hotel, two retail units, a gym, and the refurbishment of an adjacent listed building for residential use. Public realm is provided on the original site of historic hops warehouses. The project, designed to BREEAM excellence, was completed in December 2017 and won the Hotel and Hospitality category in the New London Architecture Awards that year.

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reening of exterior spaces G Linear lighting at ground level Trees enhance visual character Active courtyard spaces Living walls at building edges Photographs ©Craig Sheppard

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PORTFOLIO

KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK LIVERPOOL Cass Associates

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Client The Derby Estate Landscape architects Cass Associates Landscape contractor Horticon Project value Â£1.4million

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PORTFOLIO

andscape architects Cass Associates and landscape contractors Horticon have been involved in one of their most unusual projects to date – the creation of a new £1.4million tiger habitat at Knowsley Safari Park. Designed to be much closer to the animals’ natural terrain in the Siberian forests alongside the Amur river, the project utilised the existing natural flowing stream and ponds to create a more authentic environment. Edward Perry, managing director at Knowsley Safari, says: “As always, our starting point was to create an enriching and natural landscape for our Amur tiger sisters, Sinda and Bira to explore and enjoy.” Cass Associates were responsible for the initial planning and design of the attraction which allows people to experience the endangered breed in a natural environment. The new five-acre enclosure is based on a large area of long established woodland. Horticon were appointed as the landscape contractor for the design and build project. The company’s work included excavation and earth movement to redefine land contours, installation of

3 1 ‘Face off’ tiger viewing 2 Tiger at feeding station 3 ‘Face off’ tiger viewing structure 4 Glazed viewing wall

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PORTFOLIO

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drainage, formation of footpaths, boardwalks and decking, construction of stone escarpment, buildings, bridges and soft landscaping. The contractor design elements included the 6m high fencing, the viewing structures, glazed screens, tiger pens and the bridges. Horticon worked closely with specialist subcontractors to complete these works. The safari park’s two resident big cats, sisters Sinda and Bira, have already moved in and have been exploring their new surroundings. Eveline de Wolf, head of living collection at Knowsley Safari, adds: “We’ve been developing our new tiger habitat for more than a year. It has been designed especially for Sinda and Bira to provide an enriching home with a flowing stream, large natural ponds and mature trees.” Visitors will now be able to immerse themselves in the Russian-themed habitat and learn all about the Amur tiger – also known as the Siberian tiger. The journey through the new habitat includes full length viewing windows, allowing visitors close-up opportunities to see how the animals connect with the rich habitat of trees and water. Amur tigers are an endangered species with numbers thought to be around 500 in the wild. Of the nine subspecies of tiger, three are already extinct and the Amur tiger is the largest living species remaining. The new facility at Knowsley Safari has been designed to enable breeding and contribute to the global breeding programme for the species. The new habitat was officially launched by the Earl of Derby in June 2018.

5 Amur tiger entrance signage 6 ‘Forest floor’ viewing structure 7 T iger viewed through glazed wall

Cass Associates Cass Associates are Liverpool-based architects, planners, landscape architects and masterplanners. The company’s multi-disciplinary design and planning practice is intensely-client focused. Projects range from house extensions to new urban villages and the company provides expertise in a range of sectors, including residential, leisure, education, conservation, heritage, and commercial. W: www.cassassociates.co.uk

Horticon Ltd Horticon Ltd has traded for over forty five years and provides all aspects of hard & soft landscaping and associated works throughout the North West, North Midlands and Yorkshire areas. Their clients include local councils, housing partnerships, educational establishments, the NHS, sports clubs, landscape architects and private businesses. W: www.horticon.co.uk

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INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO

PHOENIX LAKE VILLAGE RIZHAO, CHINA Guanzhuscape

hoenix Lake Village is a rural regeneration project in Rizhao, China, designed and built by Kong Xiangwei with his Guanzhuscape design team. Originally called Du Jiaping, the village was a typical stone-made settlement in southeastern Shandong. Over the years, the village has been abandoned, most of the old houses have collapsed, and only around a dozen of the original houses remain. Phoenix Village has been classed as a Rural Art District and includes hotels and artist studios, a cultural space with a forest art gallery, water theatre, hilltop church, hillside garden, library, and museum. It also

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INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO

includes recreational space with a teahouse, cafe, restaurant, and children’s commune. Space has been left to create a traditional museum. The overall design concept involved a combination of protection and regeneration. Original buildings and trees were retained but bold new elements were introduced. Materials used included warm yellow stone, concrete and weathering steel plates from the collapsed old houses. The first phase of the development took three years. Work carried out during this time included the construction of the village entrance, the artists’ studio, hotel reception centre, restaurant and old courtyard hostel. For the village entrance, two sculptures of local stone were used to reflect the mountains in the distance. On entering the village, the artists’ studio is located in the first deserted alley on the west side. The original walls and the trees in the yard have been retained and the houses are built in the space. The main construction material used is the original stone from the abandoned old building, while the windows are built of concrete and weathering steel plates.

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INTERNATIONAL PORTFOLIO

Project value £3.5million (30million rmb) first phase Build time March 2017– September 2017 Size of project 3,000 m2 Architects/landscape architects Guanzhuscape Planning and Design Institute Lead architects Kong Xiangwei Design team Li Guodong, Liu Yulong, Wang Wen, Lin Licong, Teng Xin, Xu Jingan, Wang Ziyi, Zheng Yakai, Pang Liangliang, Xiao Tianyan Project location Dujiaping county, Rizhao city, Shandong province, China Year of completion December 2017

8 Located in the village square, the B&B hotel reception centre is a square box-shaped building constructed along the lines of an old house. Building materials used here include reclaimed stone, concrete and weathering steel. The courtyard and terrace are planted with Miscanthus and the interior is built of concrete, including the sofa and souvenir cabinets. The Plain restaurant is situated in the centre of Phoenix Village’s hotel area and surrounded by traditional houses and trees. The name of the hotel refers to the fact it is built from plain concrete – here plain is seen as a kind of beauty and is also a type of life attitude. The concept of the Plain restaurant is also consistent with the original concept of using authentic materials in the development. With large windows on the east and south sides, the restaurant space has an open aspect. The building materials include plain concrete and local stones and the non-modified concrete, together with the striking geometric form, presents a primitive aesthetic feeling.

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The restaurant interior, including the bar, tables and lockers, is completely made up of plain concrete. The roof of the dining room comprises triangular light wells and the doors and windows are hand made. The cement precast cottage, named Zhang Shu Yard, is a retrospection of the symbols of cement prefabrication decoration in the mid-20th century. All the concrete blocks were prefabricated by the carpenter Uncle Zhang, hence the yard’s name. The concrete waterscape in the yard reflects the theme of the house. In the Embroidery Courtyard, the main building is a rusted effect steel cabin, and the waterscape in the yard is also made of Corten steel plating. The Rammed Earth House has windows constructed of concrete and Corten steel plate and mirrored stainless steel and is the building featuring the most striking contrasts. Papaya trees are dotted throughout the yard, and the interior roof features stained glass windows.

1 The artists’ studio 2 The stone courtyard 3 The reception area 4 A window frames a view 5 A water feature adds drama 6 The striking entrance 7 Rammed Earth House at night 8 The Plain restaurant Photographs ©Kong Xiangwei, Cheng Xuefeng, Wang Ziyi

Guanzhuscape Guanzhuscape Planning and Design Institute was established in Beijing in 2002. Projects include landscape, architecture, and rural regeneration and overall planning and design. The company integrate theoretical research and practice into their work and emphasise the importance of art involvement in the environment. The founder and chief designer Kong Xiangwei led the team. W: www.guanzhula.com

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MATERIALS P40 Focus Composite decking

MATERIAL FOCUS

COMPOSITE DECKING DECKING MANUFACTURERS MILLBOARD EXPLAIN THE BENEFITS OF CHOOSING QUALITY COMPOSITE FLOORING FOR YOUR ROOM AT THE TOP

oof terraces are a popular way of adding an in modern boards have been developed to offer outdoor space to buildings, both domestic improved slip resistance and actively deter fungal and commercial. This is especially true in and other growths. In addition, composite materials cities, where areas for relaxation and privacy can make rooftop terraces viable where natural are at a premium. Outdoor flooring made from timber would be difficult or even impossible to modern composite materials has helped contribute install. One of the main practical considerations in to the boom, as it offers some adding a terrace is the available advantages over traditional height between a building’s MAIN BENEFITS timber boards. existing roof space and the sills • Near-zero maintenance One advantage is that of doors that open out on to it. • Enhanced durability composites are better at Often, this height is very limited • Superior slip-resistance withstanding the rigours of the and precludes the installation • Lifetime good looks British weather. Timber typically of a timber surface because • No warping or rotting needs frequent treatment with it would need sufficient space • Consistent quality • Conserves natural woodland preservatives to resist the beneath it to allow for the airflow impact of rain and temperature necessary to prevent it rotting. Note: composite decking fluctuations, but even with No such airflow is required materials vary and applicability of above points will vary diligent maintenance will tend when using composites – these accordingly. Resin-mineral material to split, rot and warp over time. can be installed on many roofs is wood-free composite decking. Made primarily from durable where wooden decking could be plastic resins, composite boards added only after major are less prone to these problems, especially where modifications to the roof’s existing fabric. they contain no wood content. In addition, this The appearance of composite boards varies durability is achieved with little or no maintenance. greatly with price. At the top end there are boards Composites also offer safety characteristics which closely resemble natural wood. Although for users. While slip resistance is important for the initial cost at installation of these premium outdoor floor surfaces at any level, it becomes even products is usually higher than that of natural more pertinent in rooftop locations. Wood can get timber, their lifetime cost is typically lower, slippery when it is wet, particularly if it has become especially when the absence of maintenance a home to algae and moulds. The composites requirements is factored in.

P42 Decking Flooring projects up on the roof

P46 Mature trees The benefits of sourcing UK stock

P49 Planters Designer containers www.futurearc.co.uk

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www.urbisdesign.co.uk

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Garden Design by Rosemary Coldstream

Water bowls â&#x20AC;˘ Planters â&#x20AC;˘ Furniture

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MATERIALS

UP ON THE ROOF

composite flooring offers a safe, durable and good-looking solution in this range of different rooftop settings

A striking rooftop terrace on the fifth floor of a building in central London features composite materials and extends over 150m2 The installation was carried out by Paul Newman Landscapes of Welwyn Garden City after the existing roof structure had been strengthened with steel beams to take the additional weight of the planned fittings. A central green wall with water feature divided the space into areas for dining and relaxing.

COMPOSITE FLOORING SETS OFF The flooring material for the project was Millboard’s Enhanced Grain decking in two colours: Charred Oak and Smoked Oak. As Caroline Birdsall, marketing manager at Millboard, explains: “Millboard’s decking boards, unlike most composite boards, have no wood content at all, so will lie happily on a roof without splitting, rotting or warping, regardless of the weather. And even when wet, the surface’s slip-resistance gives the owners confidence that they, their children and guests can enjoy the terrace without the need to tread warily.”

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MATERIALS

Alfresco dining is an appealing aspect of rooftop living. Where wine and other spills would discolour natural timber, high-end composites have a non-porous surface layer from which spillages can be simply wiped oﬀ.

The two different colours of boards were used to create distinctive ambiences in different areas of the terrace, further augmented by the use of different hues of concealed lighting.

LONDON ROOFTOP TERRACE Composite boards are produced in a range of colours, enabling a wide choice of design opportunities. Unlike their timber equivalent, they do not need to be repainted or treated to maintain their looks.

A different project, on a rooftop next to Westminster Cathedral, illustrates how composite decking can fit into the shallow working heights that often exist between roof surfaces and door sills and other fittings. While timber boards would require a generous space beneath them to permit air flow that would slow down their deterioration, composite ones do not. In this case, the sub-frame has been made using Millboard’s Plas-Pro, which is made of 100% recycled plastic.

Millboard Millboard manufactures moulded wood-look decking. Launched in 2007, Millboard decking provides an authentic wood appearance in a hand coloured resin-mineral material that gives high levels of durability and slip-resistance. W: www.millboard.co.uk

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Advertising feature

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOT JUST A TREE Increased canopy cover creates attractive and adaptable urban public space.

greenblue.com | 0800 018 7797

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Advertising feature

St Peters Square, Manchester

reating an Northern Powerhouse isn’t just about the grey infrastructure and nowhere is this more evident than across Greater Manchester. GreenBlue Urban have a proud track record of working with partners across the GMCA to deliver quality urban tree planting in a variety of complex contexts. This is aptly illustrated with installation of urban trees as part of the St Peter’s Square redevelopment project. Working with the German landscape architecture practice Latz und Partners together with ARUP for the client Manchester City Council, we were able to co create a new public realm for a self-confident and justifiably proud Manchester citizenry. Classed as a conservation area St Peter’s Square trees are of crucial importance to the environment. With proximity to the very heart of the city, near the central library and the main metro stops, it was critical to provide a focal point that was characterised by good quality, extensive canopy cover; a space that was adaptive and attractive, fit for the future. One of the most exciting aspects

fitting that our urban trees provide some respite from this somewhat monotonous daily experience. Both the clients and the designers understood the necessity of using a long-term solution for planting trees in such a densely populated urban environment with numerous above and below ground constraints. The tree pits are so much more than a basic hole in the ground. With adequate space, soil, irrigation and aeration, the pits are also

22 trees including the Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum), the foxglove tree (Paulownia tomentosa), the London plane (Platanus — acerifolia) and the pin oak (Quercus palustris), each having been grown in specialist nurseries for up to seven years. When asked to comment on the scheme post installation, our partners at City of Trees, as well as contacts at Manchester City Council, referred to the transformation of the space as transcending the merely physical. “It has encouraged a different use of the space, from a mere thoroughfare to a destination of choice in its own right for the moments between work meetings, before an evening out or a weekend taking in the culture of this thriving metropolis.” Described by the Manchester evening news as a historic site steeped in democratic history, GreenBlue Urban are proud to have been part of a process that gives this space back to the people, and an accessible green space, that will deliver the ecosystems services for future generations.

of the project was the way in which trees were integrated as part of the transport infrastructure, i.e. the tram stops. We spend so many days of our lives waiting for public transport and communing, it is only

designed to provide lighting and an integrated power supply. GreenBlue Urban were proud to supply 60 series StrataCells; Arborvents; Bespoke Tree Grilles and Geonet for the

For more information contact: GreenBlue Urban Ltd greenblue.com E: enquiries@greenblueurban.com Tel: 01580 830 800

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MATERIALS

HILLIER BSKYB HEADQUARTERS

MATURE TREES T

Hillier completed a large-scale project for BSkyB’s new headquarters in Isleworth, West London, between the summer of 2016 and spring 2017. In that time, the company made 65 deliveries, supplying 230 semi-mature trees, one super semi-mature oak tree and 29,000 shrubs, herbaceous plants and grasses. Working closely with the landscape architect, Hillier assisted in choosing the right location for each of the plants according to variety and soil pH. On an even larger scale, Hillier won the London 2012 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park project and subsequent Transition phases, delivering 12,000 semimature trees, 2,000 multi-stems and 50,000 shrubs and herbaceous plants over five years. Hossein Arshadi, Hillier’s director of amenity, says: “The key to Hillier’s success in handling large projects lies in the benefits of British-grown trees – sourcing from UK nurseries growing their own plants dramatically minimises the threat of imported diseases and pests, as well as reducing transportation.”

he advantages of sourcing from UK nurseries include a reduced risk of imported diseases and pests as well as the cutting of transportation costs. Christina Glynn Jones, marketing manager at Majestic Trees, says: “When a planting scheme calls for large quantities of mature trees, buying direct from the continent – with its hectare upon hectare of stock to choose from and competitive point of sale price – may have appeal. However, there are significant advantages to using a UK grower that are important to factor into the decision.” Stock sourced from the continent will usually be supplied in rootball or bareroot form, points out Christina, so it will need to be planted in the dormant winter season. This means less flexibility to accommodate unexpected delays to project schedules and a higher risk of stock failure compared to containerised stock. “With the feature role that mature trees play in planting schemes, and the access and sourcing difficulties that often arise in replacing a failed tree later, this risk is an important consideration,” explains Christina. Majestic Trees also source their new stock in bare root or rootball form from European growers, but then containerise it with the AirPot system, so that within a short time the stock has a superior root system that can tolerate year-round planting with a near 100% establishment

BARCHAM TREES NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM A large-scale commission by Barcham Trees at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire involved years of planning. The 50 Holm Oaks (Quercus ilex) planted in 2007 at the Armed Forces Memorial have now been in place for 11 years and have been clipped into striking circular columns. Barcham were approached by architect Liam O’Connor in 2004 about the project and discussions began about how his vision for the site could be realised. The 50 young trees were selected as starter

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MATERIALS

With large-scale commissions for mature trees some companies may look to source direct from the continent, but here we look at the advantages of sourcing stock from UK growers and feature a selection of projects where British suppliers have delivered such orders

rate. The practicalities of transporting and placing the stock must also be considered. Trees sourced from the continent will normally be delivered directly to site with no provision for oﬄoading. Increased biosecurity assurance is another reason to source within the UK. For example, under current Defra guidelines, detection of Xylella fastidiosa on a plant growing in the landscape requires the immediate destruction of all potential host plants within a 100m radius. If evidence is found that the disease has spread to another plant, a mandatory 2km plant movement quarantine zone will be imposed for ﬁve years. Over the past year the RHS, HTA, Defra and Highgrove have all begun to formulate emergency measures to combat the threat of Xylella, including a proposal to quarantine all imported specimen tree stock for 12 months at approved UK growers before release for planting.

MAJESTIC TREES

stock and were containerised at the company’s Cambridgeshire nursery. This marked the start of a two-year extensive cultural programme with the trees constantly assessed and trimmed towards the final specified shape. Keith Sacre, arboriculture and urban forest director at Barcham, says: “By ordering in advance and allowing the nursery time, it was possible to produce trees of the specific quality required rather than relying on the vagaries of the market at the date of planting.”

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DEEPDALE TREES KINGS CROSS REDEVELOPMENT Deepdale Trees took on a large-scale project worth more than £250,000 at the Kings Cross redevelopment. This ongoing development is one of the largest in London and Deepdale have been involved since 2010, supplying specimen trees, multistems and hedging to numerous phases of the site. Stock was containerised in Air-pots at Deepdale enabling trees to be delivered as required throughout the year.

Mark Godden, sales director at Deepdale, says: “As a UK nursery we can provide the advantages of a single UK based point of supply, strong biosecurity measures and proven project supply management.” Such large-scale projects require careful planning. For this reason, when a customer first approaches Deepdale for a quote, they are provided with a designated point of contact from within the sales team. A quotation is then prepared based on the client’s specific requirements or, if required, guidance is provided as to appropriate planting. The client then selects items based on the specifications of the project. These can be from the company’s nursery or from specially selected partners in Europe all of whom, like Deepdale, are plant passported for biosecurity purposes. This provides the client with one single UK based supplier for their project rather than having to manage multiple sources of supply. Large projects are often delivered over a number of years and timings of deliveries can change. For this reason, Deepdale suggest it is best to containerise the trees into Air-pots at their nursery in Bedfordshire to keep in peak condition.

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Instant Hedges & Large Trees S H d g R ar in awinn w Practical Instant Hedge growing at our nursery in Iver

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MATERIALS

FOCUS ON

PLANTERS REDFIELDS LEAD PLANTERS FOR THE ROSEWOOD HOTEL Redfields designed a selection of lead planters reinforced with stainless steel for the roof and courtyard entrance of the Rosewood Hotel in London. Rosewood lead planters, ranging in size from 50cm to 1.4m, using both traditional lead and a combination of stainless steel and lead were selected for the hotel roof. In the courtyard, cube, rectangular and conical planters were mixed with window troughs. Redfields worked closely with the designer and architect to develop the range which features cast and milled lead applied directly to steel planters. The planters deliver the desired aesthetic of lead cladding while offering the strength of stainless steel. As a result, the clad steel planters are lighter and can be made larger than solid lead planters, making them suitable for a range of roof and commercial schemes.

IOTA ZINC-CLAD PLANTERS FOR THE V&A MUSEUM As part of an ongoing redevelopment programme, the V&A in London needed to replace the planters in the John Madejski garden in the heart of the museum. Designers Dmitri Martin Associates approached IOTA to provide suitable large tree planters that would complement the porticoed facades. IOTA has developed a technique of zinc patination which creates a desirable weathered and aged look which will mature over time. Zinc sheets are clad onto steel planters to give extra strength and rigidity. This was the material selected by the V&A, for its appearance, durability and maintenance-free ﬁnish. The 22 metre-cube planters help to break up the expansive space and provide a resting place in the busy cafe courtyard.

Zinc planters at an early stage of natural ageing at which they resemble old lead, with natural zinc oxide highlights starting to come through

www.futurearc.co.uk

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MATERIALS

URBIS BESPOKE PLANTERS FOR YORK IN BLOOM Urbis Design created bespoke planters for the York in Bloom event, organised to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Ancient Society of York Florists, this summer. Designed to become permanent features at St Helen’s churchyard in the centre of the city, the planters double up as seats. Richard Mackness, Urbis director, says: “We transformed our Lily bowl by adding a large rim for seating. It has already proved very popular and livened up a rather dark and neglected corner of York city centre. They’ve been so popular that we’ve decided to make them available on request.”

PLANTSCAPE PLANTSCAPE ADDS FLORAL IMPACT TO YORK FESTIVAL Plantscape supplied floral planters to historic York, which celebrated its first ever Bloom! flower festival. The commission included 140 planters wrapped around lampposts and directional fingerposts, 12 freestanding flower towers and numerous hanging baskets in locations including York Minster, Paragon Street, Toft Green and Walmgate. The pots were planted with trailing begonias, petunia, surfinias and geraniums in pinks, purple, yellows and reds. Despite the heatwave, Plantscape’s maintenance teams only had to water the planters once a week thanks to a built-in deep reservoir seven-day hydration system.

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