Benjamin Adams - Selected Works Landscape Architecture

Masterplan

Meggetland Station Park will be a new social, ecological and economic nexus for the city of Edinburgh. The project emerged following the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, which highlighted the importance of public parks for daily exercise. Green spaces such as Harrison Park and The Meadows are busier than ever, therefore, social outdoor spaces must provide stability to our lives as a viable alternative we can always visit .

There are three distinct areas of the park. The Station Terrace will connect the new station platforms to a sinuous, lush inner-city green space. The Avenue is focused on providing a link across the city. It’s wide path, central plaza and separate cycle and pedestrian zones, aim to be inclusive to all users which the canal towpath does not provide. The Railway Yard is an eclectic, vibrant landscape visitors can discover if they have more time.

Inspiration

This metro-map vision of Edinburgh, a personal project I completed prior to Meggetland Station Park kickstarted my interest in transport across the city. While not physically feasible, it represents my intimate understanding of Edinburgh - my hometown - and how I view the connections between its districts. My understanding of the city’s physical geography is related to my interest in neighbourhood characteristics and housing typologies, which is expanded upon in my dissertation which examines the role of landscape architecture in solving the housing crisis.

A DESIG N YEAR

Throughout my studies, I discovered my focus lies in public realm design, the intersection of landscape architecture and urban planning, reintroducing nature into cities and improving public transport and active travel infrastructure.

These interests were significantly shaped by my year out at LDA Design’s Glasgow office, in which I gained experience working on high-profile public realm projects in Glasgow and Aberdeen. I am keen to continue working on these types of projects - this is where I feel the impact our profession is perhaps most felt as these outdoor spaces are frequented by invdivduals from all walks of life.

In addition to public realm projects, I gained experience working on a number of smaller scale projects involving educational, leisure, health and commercial premises. These involved developing more detailed, focussed design proposals such as the roof terrace designs for 150 St Vincent Street, Glasgow.

Dundee Future Investment Plan

Dundee is a burgeoning Scottish city which is the location of several exciting 21st developments such as new waterfront, the V&A and a new Eden Project. The report, led by Stallan Brand and collaborators including LDA Design sets out a vision for the city centre’s future which will inform investment into housing, leisure and tourism, pedestrianisation, trasnportation, and more.

diagrams left to right: east port roundabout, west port roundabout

team members: Ben Adams, Greg Meikle

Ring Road and Roundabout Studies

The city centre is currently severed by large scale road infrastructure which is difficult to navigate and cross for pedestrians. The report proposes alternatives in which active travel is prioritised across the ring road. Key east-west and northsouth movements are made easily accessible to the extended city centre community. Additionally, streetscape, green space and playfulness are embraced, bringing identity and a civic heart to the city’s core.

THE INNER CITY

Aberdeen Union Street Vision

Following on from the recently opened redevelopment of Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen City Vision will pave the city way into a more socially and economically prosperous future. The project represents one of the most significant investments into a UK city’s public realm, active travel and transportation infastructure, with a total of eight streetscape spaces identified for a comprehensive transformation and overhaul of their current state.

Schoolhill and Upperkirkgate

Schoolhill is an important cultural hub of Aberdeen, comprising of the grand plaza at the entrance of the prestigious Robert Gordon’s College. The current space now requires modernisation, as there are a transportation improvements coming to the area while respecting the Georgian and Medieval heritage environment.

The removal of all traffic from the central area of Upperkirkgate further along to the west and a considerable elsewhere creates the opportunity to enhance north and south connectivity and the retail environment. economic activity and interest in its businesses, and the streetscape interventions will bring a much

RIBA Stage 2 Report

Schoolhill & Upperkirkgate

RIBA Stage Two team members: Ben Adams, Xiaoyu Zhu,

Aberdeen Art Gallery and a range of accessibility and heritage that underlies this built considerable reduction in traffic environment. The street is seeing a decline in much needed boost to the local economy.

Zhu, Ålla Beruwien, Morbheinn McAllister

Background: A Broken Housing

The UK currently faces a multitude of contemporary meeting growing demand in addition to Covering new ground for housing studies that landscape architecture should be brought challenges.

This research pitches that simply ramping is already broken is adding more wood to built environment design professions such for more creative and inclusive approaches more integration of proactive, rather than

? TATIO N Housing

Abstract

This research uncovers the relationship between landscape architecture and design quality of contemporary residential developments. An investigation is made into the planning approaches within residential planning and it is revealed thatdeveloper/housebuilder heavy approaches which neglect more sensitive design approaches have led to landscape architecture’s presence being undervalued.

Working with visual methodologies, this research presented an innovative compass framework to facilitate the analysis of contemporary residential landscapes. Residential developments were designated one of four categories, then, following the gathering of visual and textual material, presented to participants in an interactive survey. Participants received feedback on their preferences for each of the categories.

data from ONS (2022) modified into graph format

Completions in the housing

‘Quite often it is unclear who is commissioning most valued by the public yet contradictorily development. Something has to be

Housing System

contemporary housing challenges, namely its poor track record of build quality. studies and urban planning, this research proposes brought into the picture to address these

ramping up housing production in a system which to the fire. Critics of this approach within such as the authors of The Farrell Report call approaches to addressing the housing crisis and for than reactive local authority planning.

the UK 1949 - 2019, by T

housing associations format

commissioning and investing in the public domain. Landscape architecture and urban design are often the contradictorily the least valued in terms of fees and are frequently where the first savings are made on any given be done about this, and we as an industry must make landscape and urban design much bigger priorities.”

(Farrell et al., 2014, p.20)

24: Bar chart breakdown of ratings for individual project within the four residential development categories

Research Method: An Interactive Survey

Image references:

Adams (2022)

CALA (2022a)

CALA (2022b)

Douglas (2021)

EMA (n.d.)

Falkingham et al. (2018)

FeildenCleggBradley Studios (n.d.)

Forrest (2014)

Ground Construction Limited (2022)

Holmes (2021)

HTA (2022a)

HTA (2022b)

The survey of 151 UK residents of a majority female and younger demographic revealed a strong preference for residential developments with a high integration of complex, organic features, a strong connection to nature and biophillic principles across many demographics. Those with a lack of attention to such landscape details received negative feedback. The survey demonstrated that landscape architecture closely mirrors overall residential desirability, and following a discussion of the ways in which design quality can be improved through landscape architecture, it is revealed that the profession can play a key role in the futureproofing and placemaking of residential developments, in addition to the creation of sustainable, desirable communities which support mental and physical wellbeing.

HTA (2022c)

HTA (2022e)

HTA (2022f)

doughnut charts:

HTA (2022g)

HTA (2022h)

HTA (2022i)

HTA (2022j)

HTA (2022k)

HTA (2022l)

Jo Webster. (n.d.)

JTP (n.d.)

Landezine (2022a)

Landezine (2022b)

Landezine (2022c)

LDA Design (2021)

Maccreanor Lavington (n.d.)

Op-En (n.d.b)

Op-En (n.d.c)

Persona Homes (2022)

Proctor and Matthews (n.d.)

Ravenscroft (2020b)

Saunders Architects (2022)

ShedKm (2022)

Participant Ratings: Four Categories

category preferences of the 151 participants

Figure 4: Infographic framework for the analysis of contemporary residential landscapes. This compass model presents four types of residential landscapes which will be the focus of this section and form a base for analysis and survey sections.

PARK PROJEC

This project presents a hypothetical scenario for Edinburgh’s Ravelston Woods, Park and Quarry in which the three open spaces unite to form a Geopark concept which responds to the current issues being faced in the 21st Century.

There were many layers to this complex site and once difficulties accessing the quarry, traversing across level changes and through overgrown areas were overcome, forming a fuller picture of the site’s intricacies was a highly rewarding process.

A plethora of avenues were opened up including woodland management, brownfield regeneration, historical landscape management, public park design, urban greenspace design and ecology which could have all been developed equally if it were not for the limited timescale of this project. Despite the specificity of the designs showcased, the project is a testing ground for innovative park designs and principles that shapes what a successful contemporary park is.

Geopark Principles

Having three principles to guide the design of the geopark is essential because it allows for a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges of the 21st century. The principles of geology, activity, and biodiversity stood out when investigating the site and all have the potential to be heightened in a successfully designed Ravelston Geopark. As interconnected principles, together they provide a holistic framework that can help address issues related to environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Mossy Cliffs

As the flagship area of Ravelston Geopark where the three principles meet and woodland transitions to quarry, the Mossy Cliffs were developed into a physical model which aim to capture the qualities of the space. Photographs of the model are presented in this section along with their corresponding perspective visuals which evocatively capture the same scene at eye level.

Existing Condition

The tops of the cliffs are accessible but exciting characterised by narrow, paths. The area is densely tall grasses, gorse, shrubs trees such as silver birch grow out of the rocky outcrops.

Vegetation Clearance

The vegetation has been controlled order to allow clearer paths to however, certain patches have so there is still a degree of adventure and unpredictability to the area

are a poorly area narrow, overgrown densely covered by shrubs and small birch which outcrops.

controlled in to be formed, have been left adventure area

Ravelston Quarry Masterplan

Proposed

Quarry Overpass

The Quarry Overpass is a thrilling part of the geopark, providing elevated pathways which snake down the cliff face. Descending towards the Quarry loch, visitors are met with an exciting array of boating and water sports activities, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

Proposed Section

B

B

Lochside Edge

Featuring a linear picnic area, raised platforms and planters that drop down to the waters’ edge, the lochside edge provides a welcome respite for visitors who want to take a break and enjoy a picnic in a picturesque setting. The south-facing observation point is the perfect spot to sit and soak up the warm sun, take in the view, and appreciate the surrounding activity and wildlife.

Ravelston Park Mounds

The mounds connect to the biodiversity principle of the Geopark by incorporating sustainable practices. By using the topsoil offset from expanding the loch in the quarry zone to create the mounds, the park reduces waste and promotes reuse. This creates aquatic new habitats in the quarry and promotes ecological diversity in that area.

The grassy mounds in the centre of Ravelston Park offer a dynamic space for various activities and events throughout the year. During the warmer months, their soft curves and gentle slopes invite visitors to lay down and relax while in the winter they transform into a thrilling playground, perfect for sledging.

Existing flat area of park amenity grass

Topsoil transported from Ravelston Quarry

Excess topsoil forms recycled mounds

Ravelston Park

forms mounds in Park

Ravelston Park Plaza

At the heart of Ravelston Park a new social hub will emerge, a place where the community can come together. The central plaza is a modern and versatile space, designed with family life in mind. It will be more than just a space for relaxation and socializing but also one that connects with the principles of the Geopark, promoting geological awareness, a variety of activities, and engagement with nature and biodiversity.

Design ga21st Century ark

WEST HE N DON PRO

Developing a 21st Century park identity represented the biggest challenge for the West Hendon Playing fields, a series of green spaces lacking any identity which are confusingly, almost appreciated by locals for their mundanity. The existing site is seemingly endless expanses of amenity grass football fields with very little social activity and a disorientating layout, making it easy to get lost in yet another field which looks the exact same as the one you just came from.

The majority of West Hendon playing fields are in a sense, liminal spaces, in that they are the archetype of a park that is very recognisable yet has few distinguishing features.

This project initially uncovered the triumphs of other parks from around London, later focussing on translating this into a unique vision for West Hendon which will deliver a more varied physical landscape, reactivated social scene, distinct identity and relevance to prevalent causes in the 21st Century.

QGIS Analysis of Inner & Outer Scale Comparisons

The comprehensive desktop analysis phase determining a ring for 39 inner and outer london case studies would be compared and contrasted Hendon Playing Fields. QGIS was a useful tool subsequent scale analysis that followed on

West Hendon Playing Fields 160.5 ha

Outer London Parks

phase of the project involved london parks in which contrasted with the site, West tool facilitating this and the on from this task.

Four Influential London Park Typologies

Following on from this investigation of the individual parks of London, it was necessary to distil what it was about the successful examples that stood out. To address this, an exercise defining four typologies of London Parks was carried out.

These four typologies were considered influential parks of the past which can contribute to a 21st Century vision for West Hendon Playing fields.

The adjacent collage provides a bridge between the previous investigation of London parks and the creation of a masterplan for West Hendon by referencing the four park typologies covered and superimposes relevant images over parts of the park which will have their design inspired by them.

Top to bottom: Royal Parks, Civic and Local Authority Parks, Commons, Pleasure Gardens

Five Strategies for 21st Century Parks

Informing the masterplan were these five strategies for 21st Century parks which take key principles from successful park examples examined previously. Each strategy draws from the analysis of notable individual parks such as Morden Hall Park, Victoria Park and Walpole Park.

Increase Bridges and Crossings

Heighten Connection to Water

Encourage Varied Intensity of Activities

Masterplan Legend

The adjacent masterplan presents a vision West Hendon Playing Fields and the greater Harp Reservoir area roughly 30 years from With four distinct zones each holding different characteristics, the design showcases a which is reconciles the contrasting surrounding communities and is adaptable to a number multidimensional contemporary challenges.

West Hendon Welsh Harp Brent Reservoir Neasden

vision of greater Welsh from now. different a park surrounding number of challenges.

West Hendon Avenues

The West Hendon avenues hosts the park’s welcome area. Taking from the principles of Royal Parks, excellent views will be opened up through orderly, tree-lined avenues forming part of an interconnected cycleway and pedestrian footway network

Reservoir Ribbon

Neasden Ribbon

Neasden Ribbon is the part of the site which has undergone the most transformation, featuring undulating paths, bridges along proposed canals, plentiful lighting, street furniture and incidental play.

Hendon Avenues

Harp Valley

Seafield ‘Pong’ is a local saying which refers to the occasional stench that pervades this district of Edinburgh, owing to the nearby waste treatment centre which is the largest of its kind in Scotland. Our neighbourhood development, located to the south-east of this plant towards Craigentinny will transform the area’s identity, forming an inclusive, modern neighbourhood in touch with nature and the environment.

The medium-high density development will go against the grain of current suburban housing developments, for its inherent focus on quality landscaping and local culture. A luscious green avenue along a former railway line stands out as the distinguishing place-maker; a revitalised promenade, SUDs based community courtyards and a central plaza promoting business / public transport complete the full picture.

Four Housing Tyopologies In

AFIEL D PROJ

left to right: street a[artments, colonies, courtyard apartments,

apartments, townhouses

Seafield Promenade

The revitalised promenade stretching from Seafield to Portobello and restoring its link to Leith, features underground shop spaces, inspired by the iconic Arches by Waverley Station. They can potentially be used with a livework scheme, where residents can rent a local space to work from. This will provide jobs to the area and stimulate the local economy. Planting includes coast tolerant trees such as Pinus mugo and a range of grasses and herbaceous perennials. Reed species such as Phragmites australis will line the border between the beach and promenade.

Masterplan

This is a part of the masterplan showing a few of the housing typologies - street apartments, courtyard apartments and townhouses - integrated with the extensive surrounding landscape proposals. Of note is the linear park to the south of the scheme, which features varied and exciting park environment, featuring winding water bodies, bridges, play parks and pavilions. These connect onto the existing Meadows Yard Nature Reserve in the West. The overarching aim of the development is to form a modern, inclusive neighbourhood which has a strong emphasis on mental and physical wellbeing.

Transport Hub and Plaza

This visual shows the central area of the avenue which provides good transport links to the city, European style cycle paths separate from pedestrian zones, a combination of air purifying (Acer campestre) and ornamental (Prunus avium) street trees along with further shrubs and borders around the central plaza.

Discovering Seafield Video

Initially a groupwork project, the intial stage of site investigation involved the creation of a short film of the local cycle route, using a go pro, showing existing conditions and types of activities that take place there. The film was edited in After Effects adding animations and captions.

Acc tingHypersc

AR EC OPARK

At its core, Dunbar Ecopark addresses the need for a new model of sustainable living within the context of South East Scotland. Amidst increasing calls to rethink our relationship with the environment in manifestos such as the Green New Deal and broader movements such as School Strike for Climate, the project will help ground these visions through a series of tangible interventions designed to improve physical skills, activity and wellbeing.

Background historical research and knowledge of the Scottish context were vital to the process; understanding factors such as climate, flora and fauna ensured proposals were realistic, and an ecologist was consulted during the design process.

The project is radical in its ecological conservation, yet builds upon the proven successes and generational knowledge of traditional constructions from across the world. Tying all this together is an ambitious volunteer programme that mobilises local communities, reconnecting them to nature.

Hyperobjects

Hyperobjects is a term defined by Timothy in his 2017 book of the same title. He uses such as viscosity, phasing, and nonlocality framework to describe his reflection on larger life realities such as climate change, and ecosystems. The systems of hyperobjects based on hierarchies, and are processes intangible but omnipresent.

The initial phase of the project involved production of small models which represented our reflections on how hyperness manifests itself in the environment around us. These accentuating small details which stood out and accentuating the landscape using a coloured ribbon which interacted with

Hyperobjects

Timothy Morton uses terms nonlocality as a larger than radiation hyperobjects are processes that are omnipresent. involved the represented manifests These were out to us, a brightly the wind.

A signature part of the proposals, raised walkways, Scandanavian plank paths and treehouses line sheltered areas of regernated woodland away from the coast, creating an obstacle course of sorts for visitors. This enclosure is focused on providing a memorable experience: the sensation of being elevated gives a whole new perspective to the site that was unavailable before.

Forest Hideout

tempering the water level: tilting weir section

existingwoodland

South Gate Accessible by private vehicle and public transport.

West Gate Accessible for pedestrians.

East Gate Accessible for pedestrians.

exposedaggregate shores

The masterplan presents a vision of this former quarry site under an ideal transformation in which it has become much more hyper and exciting. A key aim is to accomplish a more dynamic visiting experience and habitable space by altering the topography to form new gorges, terraces, islands, plateaus and ridges (hyper landforms) which will intensify the space. This will ideally create more cohesion, narrative and drama to the landscape.

A selection of habitats is presented from the ecopark in their mature form. These habitats, which form a complex mesh or matrix across the site will make a strong contribution to biodiversity provide a wide variety of nature qualities for visitors to experience.

2080 Masterplan & Proposed Habitats lshelterbelts foatingreedbeds openreservoir

Mo delli Sensory Coa Wood

Key Proposals

• Reform the pre-existing car park into

• Reform the pre-existing kennel ruins

• Distinctive paths characterise each

• Creation of an anti-pollution habitat,

• Designing with an appreciation of light

My sensory first year project was developed with the following question in mind:

How can a community woodland create a memorable, curated experience and enhance the local spirit?

This project holds special meaning as the first time I got hands on by creating a model and design outcome is one I think represents my initial interest in landscape architecture. It is in some ways a precursor to my final year project, Ravelston Geopark, which follows similar themes in greater depth.

into a grassland, unifying with the rest of the landscape ruins into a pavilion, creating an area of shelter within the woodland each area and link the shore, woodland and river habitat, improved biodiversity and variety of planting light and the impacts it has on the visitor experience

US PR O JECTS

Throughout my time at uni, me and my peers developed an interest in presenting coursework using more out of the box methods. Being taught in an art college environment, we were encouraged to creatively express our projects which is represented through our experiments in installations across the groupwork phases of a few of our studios such as Cramond, Clyde and Seafield.

Cramond Studio

Clyde Studio

Seafield Studio

P e op le Places on 120

Alongside studying landscape architecture, photography provided me with another outlet for me to reflect on our environment. I have always been drawn to nature, culture and cities and have enjoy spending time outdoors wherever I can.

I have been experimenting with medium format film photography and portraiture which I picked up during COVID lockdowns. The following photos present spaces are people that are important in my life - the low number of photos per roll of film (12) and expensive cost of developing mean that each photo taken is highly selective and intentional.

OGRA P HY PO

Education

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

[2018-2023] University of

Edinburgh

Edinburgh College of Art Campus

MA Landscape Architecture (hons), 4 Year Course

ACHEIVEMENTS

[2021] ESALA BA/MA Landscape Architecture Prize

Outstanding third Year Performance

[2021] Adobe Digital Edge Award Top 20 Hyperscape Ecopark Project

[2021] Vectorworks Design Scholarship Runner Up Hyperscape Ecopark Project

[2020] LDA-Design Bursary Winner

Meggetland Station Park Project

[2020] The GIllespie’s Prize

Outstanding second year performance

[2019] Best Performance in Design Courses

Outstanding first year performance

MUSIC

[2020] Chetham’s Summer School

Manchester-based Virtual course during the pandemic

[2019] Trinity College London

ATCL (Associate) Diploma in Piano Recital

Passed with Distinction

[Pre-2018] ABRSM

Piano Examinations Grades 1-8

EARLY EDUCATION

[2012-2018 ] Boroughmuir High School

Viewforth, Edinburgh

House Captain: Hartington

Paolozzi Art Prize ‘Spirit of Paolozzi’

Professional Experience

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

[2021-2022]

LDA Design Glasgow

Year-Out Landscape Architect

13-month placement in leading UK-wide landscape architecture, management and planning practice.

SOFTWARE

SPECIALTY COFFEE

My past roles as a barista within independent cafes have helped satisfy my interests in discovering local communities, their people and society.

[2022-] Little Fitzroy • @littlefitzroy

Abbeyhill, Edinburgh. Popular Melbourne-style multi roaster cafe. Serving locally roasted coffee and pastries from indie bakeries. Part of Edinburghs strong coffee scene and tying together community spirit in this trendy, downtown area.

[2021] Café Party by Fhiór • @jupiterartland • @fhiorrestaurant • @santucoffee

Jupiter Artland, Wilkieston. Serving Santu coffee in Nicholas Party designed cafe and takeaway options at an exclusive sculpture park in West Lothian. High footfall, serving 500+ customers each day.

[2021] Salt Café

[2020] Puffyn’s Pastry Shop / Otilia’s Café

[2017-2020] DAIPAI

Adobe Creative Cloud

AutoCAD

SketchUp Pro VRay for Sketchup QGIS / ArcMap Lumion Revit

Rhino