Countryside Developers brochure

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

Liz Lake Associates

With growing interest in our environment, the desire for high-quality and well-planned outside spaces has never been greater. From public parks to private gardens, and from town squares to office schemes, elegant, inspiring and safe places provide a positive and lasting benefit to our quality of life. No matter how large or small the project, at Liz Lake Associates we believe that the art of the landscape architect is to discover the special sense of place‌ and then to enhance it.

A holistic approach Our approach is a holistic one. From the outset we come with a fresh vision, take a broad view to assess the context and challenges, look for local inspiration, propose creative solutions and devise a strategic, sustainable approach. At all times we are mindful of the financial, and sometimes also the emotional, investment of the client. Every scheme begins with a site visit.

We then work with clients to develop the brief and explore the creative and planning scope of the scheme stage by stage.

We will anticipate local planning and environmental requirements, identify the necessary surveys and reports that will be required, negotiate with all interested parties, draw up plans and submit them, produce a full and accurate budget report and propose realistic time schedules to see the project to completion.

A comprehensive skills base Our practice is small enough to offer individual attention from highly experienced professionals, and large enough to offer a comprehensive range of skills for even the largest and most complex schemes.

At Liz Lake Associates, we involve our clients in a collaborative and multi-disciplinary process. With any new development, we believe that the design of the public realm and the location of open spaces must be seen as equally important to the built form, helping to ensure a functional and meaningful integration between the two.

21st century residential solutions Liz Lake Associates Residential Landscape Design Team is at the forefront of public realm design for both residential new build and mixed-use schemes. With the recent publication of the Manual for Streets by the Department for Transport and the Department for Local Communities, design excellence for external space is now high on the agenda for those involved in creating new and exciting residential environments.

As well as providing a competitive standard landscape design service, we specialise in the detailed design of the signature public open spaces that are so often at the heart of our clients’ new developments. These open spaces are vital in setting the tone for a positive sales environment and creating a strong sense of location.

Looking to the future, conserving the past Liz Lake Associates has been working with a number of far-sighted developers to create high-quality and sensitive landscape settings for restoration and conversion projects. Current government guidelines actively encourage, where possible and appropriate, the re-use of existing buildings to help meet targets for the provision of new homes. These properties are often key buildings within the local urban fabric and are an integral part of the area’s history.

The key to our success in this process has been in understanding the historic importance of these properties, whilst interpreting the developer’s vision for their potential clients. We help to balance historic landscape details with the creation of high quality, contemporary and easily maintainable planting design. The result has been sensitive and stunning landscape settings for properties that are starting a new and exciting chapter in their history.

Illustrations produced by F10 Studios Ltd. www.F10Studios.co.uk © 2011

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Bespoke play areas, public spaces all set within a hierarchy of pedestrian friendly routeways will transform this once iconic stadium

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Walthamstow Stadium, WALTHAMSTOW, LONDON Opened in 1933 by William Chandler this iconic stadium eventually closed in August 2008. Having been featured in the Blur album Parklife and in the film Snatch the site is to be transformed into a stunning development of approximately 300 flats and houses by L&Q. Set within the London Borough of Walthamstow the development is intended to be an exemplar for the Borough and a catalyst for redevelopment in the area.

Approach Working closely with the client, design team and Waltham Forest Council, the scheme was developed around the retained and to be restored Tote buildings. The scheme was developed to incorporate a series of open spaces linked by a hierarchy of activity circuits and trim trials both within the site and the surrounding area. These pedestrian/cycle friendly trails are intended to give the scheme a unique sense of place with the provision of specific leisure and play facilities.

Outcome The completed design respects the character and unique heritage of the site whilst incorporating bespoke leisure facilities catering for all age groups and fitness levels. The proposed de-culverted River Ching and other ecological improvements will create important green links throughout the site and within the local area.

Client | L&Q London Housing Association | Location | Walthamstow, London | Architect | Conran and Partners | River Ching enhancements

The famous sign

Proposed allotments

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A New Urban Garden in the heart of the development

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Marconi, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX Bellway Homes (Essex) is building an exciting new mixed-use quarter in the heart of Chelmsford City Centre. A designled scheme for 437 new apartments and houses as well as a range of flexible commercial uses are proposed on the derelict Marconi Site which was the world’s first purpose built radio factory and site of the first transatlantic radio transmission.

Approach A broad framework for the public realm and the creation of spaces therein was defined by Chelmsford City Council and RMA Architects. Our role was to design a vibrant, legible and inclusive public realm creating a series of distinct spaces each with its own function and character.

The proposed scheme will provide a new direct pedestrian and cycle route through the site which will link the train station to the south west to Anglia Ruskin University and New Street to the north east. This route delivers a key design objective in improving permeability in this part of the City Centre. A key element of the Landscape Strategy has been to ensure that this new link is clearly legible and the design solution has been to delineate the route with curvilinear lines of blue block paving with changes in direction at key movement nodes defined by radiating splashes of blue block paving.

A new urban garden featuring Italian Cypress will form the principal communal amenity space in the heart of the development. A dynamic new triangular shaped piazza will provide a commercial focus for the scheme in the south western part of the site and will feature active commercial frontages and opportunities for tables and chairs to spill out onto the south facing side of the piazza.

Outcome A full planning application was submitted in December 2012 and construction is due to commence during 2013.

Client | Bellway Homes Limited (Essex) | Architect | RMA Architects | Planning Consultants | Savills | Engineers | Ardent Consulting Engineers | CGI’s | Think BDW | Pleached trees in the Entrance Piazza on New Street, adjacent to the retained 1912 building

Commercial Square

New Street trees on Marconi Road

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The Grove, set in the Hertfordshire countryside in the south of England, is a very special luxury hotel...

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The Grove Hotel, HERTFORDSHIRE Once the country estate of the Earls of Clarendon, The Grove mansion is a Grade II* listed building set in 126 hectares of parkland, laid out in the 18th century. Liz Lake Associates was invited to join the project as part of a team of design consultants helping to steer the proposed improvements, including a golf course, through the planning process.

Approach The conservation and enhancement of the site’s natural assets were key to our approach and following a call-in inquiry, planning permission was granted and construction of the golf course began.

Outcome The Grove has undergone a major restoration to open as a five-star country hotel with a first-class golf course development. The buildings are now complemented by an all-embracing redesign of the parkland plus pleasure gardens. Liz Lake Associates worked on the detailed design and the construction stage of the project. The hotel won a BALI Principal Award for Soft Landscaping and has hosted the World Golf American Express Championships.

Client | Private | Location | Hertfordshire | Architect | Aukett Fitzroy Robinson | Engineer | Faber Maunsell | Planning consultant | GL Hearn | A fine view from one of the bedrooms overlooking the stunning alfresco dining area

The rather beautiful cascading pool

Some examples of sculpture at the grove

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This high quality award-winning development sets a benchmark for housing schemes in London and the South-East

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Barnsbury Place, ISLINGTON, LONDON This former Edwardian school has been converted into a prestigious collection of nine new houses, 15 new build and 80 refurbished apartments in one of Islington’s most desirable quarters. The sympathetic refurbishment of the three original Edwardian buildings married with the contemporary design of the new build apartments and houses creates a unique living environment within the established parish of Barnsbury.

Approach The design of the scheme included bespoke courtyard gardens set within a predominantly hard landscape scheme which responded to the site’s immediate context. Within the centre of the scheme a contemporary water feature is located which creates a unique pedestrian friendly core.

Outcome With all of the 104 houses and apartments reserved, Barnsbury Place is now an established and highly sought after residential address in Islington.

This outstanding development won the top accolade for the Best Conversion in the Evening Standard Homes & Property Awards 2011.

Client | Mount Anvil | Location | Islington, London | Architect | MGM Associates | High quality frontages

Stunning courtyards

Planting in the lobby area

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A new urban garden in the heart of Basildon’s town centre

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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 cafĂŠ 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 | Planning Consultants | Barton Willmore | Architect | CZWG | East Square in 1965

East Square is currently underused; lacks a focus and is dominated by poor quality concrete paving

The polished concrete walls around the inclined lawn planes are a direct response to the v-shaped support columns of Brooke House that dominate East Square

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An informal serpentine path meanders along the central axis of this linear space

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Academy Central, BARKING, EAST LONDON Taylor Wimpey East London is building 936 houses and apartments on the former site of the University of East London. All 13 apartments buildings will have either a green or brown roofs and the public realm includes a number of innovative areas of public open space, including ’the spine’ landscape.

Approach This north-south aligned linear amenity space provides a green link from Mayesbrook Park to the south, into the heart of the development. The design has a harmonious fluid informality which can be seen as a piece of modern art when viewed from the upper floor balconies. The informality of the design contrasts with and complements the strong lines of the adjacent architecture.

A serpentine path meanders along the central axis of the space. Open areas can be used for picnics and barbecues by residents, while sunken, more intimate spaces will provide communal meeting spaces suitable for quiet sitting on the low elliptical-shaped granite benches. Shallow grass mounding to the back of these meeting areas and elsewhere along the length of the spine will create raised lawns, thereby increasing opportunities for informal passive recreation and imaginative play. Swathes of wildflower grassland and indigenous species of trees and hedgerows will also help to promote biodiversity.

Outcome Construction of the adjacent apartments has begun and the spine landscape will be laid out during 2013.

Client | Taylor Wimpey East London | Location | Barking, East London | Architect | Biscoe & Stanton | Elliptical granite bench set within grass mounding

The view along the axis of the ‘spine landscape’

The view from an apartment balcony

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This visually stunning development sets a new benchmark in luxury living in Jersey

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Jersey Apartments, JERSEY Located on a prominent headland surrounding St Aubin’s Bay this luxury development of nine apartments is designed around a central pedestrian courtyard containing bespoke artwork by the renowned international artist, Lucy Unwin.

Approach The planting scheme relates to the architectural layout and is both low maintenance whilst of local provenance making this a sensitive yet contemporary scheme befitting this unique site. Landscape embankments facing the coast are planted with salt tolerant herbaceous and shrub species which give year round colour and interest.

Outcome Currently at detailed tender stage, Liz Lake Associates is working closely with the client and architect to create a contextually appropriate scheme befitting this prominent position.

The scheme recently gained planning permission.

Client | Private | Location | St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey | Architect | Roberts Limbrick | View of St Aubin’s Bay from development

Courtyard sketch including public art

3D proposed view from the balcony

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The new urban courtyard at Capital Square won the What Housing Awards 2006 Gold Award for Best Landscape Design

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Capital Square, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX Capital Square is a mixed-use development of 108 luxury apartments, retail units, and a day care nursery, built around two landscaped courtyards. A Section 106 Agreement with the planning permission required a water feature within a mixed-use urban square. The brief was to provide a calm space that would create a communal area for residents as well as appealing to the wider community. The square is overlooked by the balconies and winter gardens of the surrounding apartments.

Approach The western fountain courtyard provides a contemporary landscape space with seating to view feature fountains. The primary landscape objective for the site was to create a high-quality, safe, fountain courtyard that was complementary to the surrounding architecture.

Outcome The BALI Award adjudicators described Capital Square as a “stunning urban courtyard�.The scheme is popular with residents and has won our client a number of prestigious national housing sector/landscape awards, including the What Housing Awards 2006 Gold Award for Best Landscape Design.

Client | Barratt Eastern Counties | Location | Chelmsford, Essex | Architect | PRP Architects | Landscape Contractor | Oakview Landscapes | Fountain Contractor | Miles Waterscapes Ltd | Looking across the fountains towards the second courtyard

Uplighting the crystal water columns

Night view of the fountain courtyard

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These pedestrian courtyards have been restored to their original glory using plants of historic associations unified with natural hard materials

The Galleries, BRENTWOOD, ESSEX The Galleries is a former Victorian asylum, set within extensive grounds and situated in a prominent position in Brentwood in Essex. Being Grade 2 listed, its historic buildings comprise an important part of the local urban fabric.

City & Country Residential recognised its potential and is currently converting the existing buildings into a high-quality, residential development incorporating 130 apartments. Liz Lake Associates was commissioned to develop conceptual design ideas for the external landscape.

Approach A detailed survey was undertaken of all existing trees within the site, noting those protected by Tree Preservation Orders which were to be retained within the development design. A design strategy was then conceived to create a sensitive yet stunning landscape to surround the historic buildings.

Outcome Important trees protected by Tree Preservation Orders, have been retained within the development design to enhance external spaces. The existing core buildings, combined with the new extensions and underground parking, have created eight courtyard spaces. The design philosophy was to give each courtyard a distinct character while maintaining a harmonious feel to the overall proposals. Two courtyards have been restored close to the original historic design, while the remainder are contemporary in style.

Client | City & Country Residential | Location | Brentwood, Essex | Architect | Brewster Bye Architects | Engineer | Roberts Hay Partnership | Pedestrian Courtyard

Original airing courtyard now restored

High quality planting to frontage

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The fountain courtyard is a focal point for the development and has already won two gold national awards

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Balls Park, HERTFORDSHIRE The Fountain Courtyard is the centerpiece of a prestigious development within the historic parkland at Balls Park in Hertfordshire, a former university campus. Balls Park Mansion is Grade 1 listed and the associated historic gardens and parkland are registered Grade 2. New apartments were developed looking inwards over the courtyards and outwards over the historic parkland. The client’s brief was to provide a high-quality fountain courtyard that would function as a communal garden with car parking and provide an attractive leafy outlook into the courtyards from the adjacent apartments.

Approach The parking was arranged around the perimeter of the courtyard so views from the apartments are over the cars towards the green island of the fountain gardens in the middle of the wider courtyard space. The small mop-headed trees and railings around the perimeter provide an attractive outlook from the apartments, whilst creating a perceived sense of enclosure from the fountain seating area. The lighting installation has been designed to create an entirely different feel to this space at night whilst extending the hours that it can be enjoyed.

The Outcome The fountains form the focal point of the main courtyard. They have been detailed in granite with a multi-tiered fountain in the upper bowl and with four bronze lion heads spouting water from the fountain bowl down into the lower pool. There is a lily-pad themed pond cover finished in a verdigris colour, which will in time match the patina of the lion-head water spouts and the copper lanterns which are suspended from the entrance archways. The fountains are surrounded by a paved seating area. There are four granite benches and the lower pool surround also provides seating opportunities. The courtyard has been a great success and is already a Gold Award winner for Best Communal Garden/Landscape and a Gold Award winner for the Best Garden Landscape Brownfield Development - Daily Express New Home Gardens Awards 2010 for our client Explore Living.

Client | Explore Living | Location | Hertford | Landscape Contractor | Oakview Landscapes | Fountain contractor | Miles Waterscapes Ltd | A view from one of the surrounding apartments

Water spouts from four bronze lions heads into the lower pool

Close up of one of the lion heads

Liz Lake Associates offers the following expertise: Landscape Design Urban Design Residential Landscape Design Landscape Planning Expert Witness Heritage Landscapes Nature Conservation Landscape Management Specialist Consultancy Graphic and 3D Design Training and Communication

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

Stansted Office:

Bristol Office:

Western House | Chapel Hill | Stansted Mountfitchet Essex | United Kingdom | CM24 8AG

Kestrel Court | Harbour Road | Portishead Bristol | United Kingdom | BS20 7AN

T: +44 (0)1279 647044

T: +44 (0)1275 390425

E: office@lizlake.com

www.lizlake.com

E: office@lizlake.com

www.lizlake.com