Oxfordshire
Garden Designs
This was a slightly different kind of work. The commission is for a Science Centre just outside of Oxford and our remit was to try and create a landscape for another generation, including how it’s looked after and managed. The whole site is an eclectic mix of buildings, and the idea is that it’s the wider landscape that holds the design together. The overall design will include various green spaces across the site that act as spaces for humans to use as well as work as wildlife corridors. We’re looking at it in terms of its ecological impact so it’s about creating habitat, using a diversity of plant material, as well as considering the way it will be maintained. It’s unusual in that it’s using a commercial landscape to create relaxed spaces that balance human requirements with wildlife and diversity.
This particular design is for a pocket park that will go around a series of new buildings. Essentially, it’s a space designed as a destination point to encourage those working there to get outside at breaks and lunchtimes. It provides a green world in the middle of the working day. Designed around existing trees, the whole thing is enclosed with quite deep planting so screen it from the nearby bus runs and car parks.
I am working with renowned tree expert Tony Kirkham to select trees that, in the light of potential climate change, will work for the long term. In some ways, it’s a living experiment which is great as it suits the nature of the work on site.
We will also have some lawned areas, plenty of wildflower coverage, a mix herbaceous and plenty of shrubs.
The hard landscaping is still up for discussion; however, it will take the existing buildings as reference points. Our aim is to create a limited palette of materials that will work across the site, and we’ll dip in and out of these for particular areas.
