Where Wildflowers Bloom

This precedent has been chosen due to similarities shared with the site on Alney Island, spatially defined by the river Dora and characterised by an industrial past. Designed by Latz+Partner, the urban park has varied amenity areas for walking, cycling, skating and other sporting throughout the park. Notably, it repurposes an old strip steel mill into a covered event space, transforming the post-industrial landscape into one that is multi-use for local residents. Similarly, there is a potential opportunity in Alney Island to repurpose the Electricity Sub Station building into a unique post-industrial event space. The inclusion of street art in this urban park serves as a colourful remedy for the potential eyesores stemming from existing industrial features. Alney Island shares a parallel challenge with a few particularly unwelcoming road underpasses that could be improved through thoughtfully curated street art. This design approach will narrate the island's stories, myths, and i...

To gain a better understanding of the urban-rural fringe, I have explored precedent projects that successfully integrate urban and rural elements Although not directly on the fringe, the Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project in Seoul demonstrates the possible synergies between the urban environment and the natural world. Transforming an unsightly and polluting elevated free way into a re-naturalised stream. The project not only restores the site's ecological balance but also exemplifies the multitude of benefits that arise from designing with nature such as the positive environmental impacts of reintroducing ‘non-urban’ elements back into cities, including pollution control, water management, and enhanced ecological value. Moreover, it highlights the socio-cultural and economic advantages, such as job creation, sustainable tourism, diverse recreational activities, and improved health and well-being! Principle objectives that we aspire to achieve from the transformation of Alney...

The term "urban-rural fringe" refers to the transitional zone where urban and rural landscapes meet and interact, also known as the urban-rural boundary or interface. This fringe is characterised by a mix of urban and rural land uses, and often represents the edge of urban development expanding into traditionally rural areas. However, the evolving urban-rural fringe is gaining prominence amid our  cities' transformation towards greener goals. It extends beyond mere expansion, now encapsulating the integration of ecological areas within and adjacent to urban boundaries. Think post-industrial landscape restoration and the resurrection of once-neglected spaces. In the context of landscape architecture, understanding the urban-rural fringe is important. Successful design requires a delicate balance, addressing issues from land use planning, ecological disturbance and a successful integration of natural and built environments.  Alney Island presents an urban-fringe opportunity...

With just one week remaining before the community presentation, our team met with Janice to unveil our visionary designs for St. Aidan & St. Silas Church in Cheltenham.  The meeting was a resounding success, leaving us eagerly anticipating the community's reaction next week! Kudos to the team, a job well done!!

As we approach the final presentation of our design proposals later this week, I'm excited to share some of the sketches created for our visual presentation boards. It's important to note that EVERYTHING seems to take at least double the anticipated time, reminding me to start promptly! Coloring and sketching under a tight deadline are considerably less enjoyable than when done as a relaxing pastime— trust me! Nonetheless, I'm pleased with the outcome, albeit acknowledging the painstaking frustration along the way.  External classroom in productive grow area, suitable for school visits. The timber seating has integrated plant beds, constructed from reclaimed sleepers. A green house provides space for propagation and year round production.   The 'Heart' or central meeting space, with direct routes from all access points. A timber pergola offers shade and support for ornamental climbers and the central circle is etched with cardinal signs.  A contemplative rock gar...

My initial conceptual vision for Alney Island revolves around the island's distinctive tides and rich historical tapestry, culminating in what I term 'The Tides of Time.' Alney, an island nestled between two branches of the River Severn, boasts a rich history dating back to 1016, marked by a historic duel between Edmund Ironside and Canute of the Danish Vikings for control of the English Crown. Delving into the island's historical elements, my design incorporates reclaimed railway tracks, millstones, rune stones, and envisions a potential amphitheater within the cultural center. This homage aims to encapsulate the diverse periods that have shaped Alney's unique history. A significant portion of the site is dedicated to flood prevention, specifically through the implementation of algal wetlands. Drawing from a recent project exploring algae's multifaceted potential, I find it to be an ideal solution for bioremediation, biodiversity promotion, carbon capture, and ...

After three damp and somewhat lackluster visits to Alney Island, it's time to delve into the possibilities for initial zoning. My approach involved a review of the existing zoning, which appears relatively uniform—comprising wet marshland, woodland, scrub, and pockets of unsightly industrial and human development. The next step was to explore various draft zoning options. Existing Zoning  Outlined below are three preliminary zoning concepts. The proposed zonings entail subtle adjustments, with a primary focus on dedicating the majority of the site to accessible wetland and woodland. Considering the site's susceptibility to flooding during wetter months, the incorporation of grading is essential. This ensures that specific areas retain water while others remain dry. In all three proposals, I advocate for the strategic placement of community and cultural centers predominantly to the west of the site. This aligns with the existing residential zones and cultural hubs, such as the d...

The project for Alney Island requires us to design an accessible ecological park on a floodplain within high-risk Flood Zone 3. During a very rainy visit to the island, it was clear that most of the site is flooded by the River Severn - including the primary footpath that runs through the middle of the site. There are several ways to develop on floodplain areas, and as I continue researching suitable measures, I will investigate precedents that have successfully created safe, enchanting trails and destinations that ensure the protection of the valuable habitats. Designing with nature is an ideal solution to alleviating flood waters, providing flood water storage and enhancing biodiversity. The island already hosts a range of wetland areas that can certainly be expanded with created wetlands, scrapes and even riparian marshes that absorb and store excess water during periods of high rainfall whilst stabilising riverbanks and preventing erosion. Wetland areas offer recreational opportuni...