KIRKDALE, LEWISHAM

Landscape Cost: Approx. £500k
RIBA Work Stages: 2/3

GUARDA were commissioned to produce an illustrative masterplan for a building refurbishment scheme in London. Close liaison was required with the architect to ensure that the landscape scheme fitted the existing building and construction constraints.

Much of the building will be refurbished to form a series of apartments. The PureGym on the ground floor will be retained, its roof will partially form the podium deck to the courtyard. The landscaping scheme aims to create green and welcoming spaces within the building complex. The Kirkdale Road entrance is a shaded, narrow space situated next to the PureGym façade. There is a bin store in this area, and bins would be wheeled out to the marshalling area for collection, and so landscaping needs to be robust.

The courtyard area is the main ‘foyer’ area into each of the staircores. Residents pass through from the main entrance and experience a green and tranquil space. The central feature is a rectangular lawn which could be a hybrid grass to provide a more durable solution. Raised planters create a well-defined edge to the planting. The design provides a strong and unified pattern which will be viewed from above. Planting also creates a ‘curtain’ around the private terraces to provide some privacy.

The simple roof terrace planting, consisting of planters and architectural plants, also aims to screen views from neighbouring buildings, whilst maintaining a degree of openness and sunny outlook.