Services

Landscape design and management

Key Tasks

Landscape mitigation

Landscape design

Masterplanning

Monitoring of landscape works

What we did

ASH were brought on board during the latter part of phase 1 construction by Barr, who were acting as the main contractor. The remit was to provide advice and expertise on earthworks, which were a major problem of this site, and to provide detailed hard and soft landscape design.

The site provided many challenges and opportunities relating to the nature of the site and its location. Constrained by the sloping nature of the site and the constructed level of the building and sports pitches it was a challenge to provide a practical yet interesting design solution which relates to its surroundings.

The planting design was developed using a simple palette of native and ornamental plants. The main structural planting is a mix of native woodland and scrub, which relates to the urban fringe location, and ties into the surrounding landscape. The emphasis on native plants also helps to encourage local wildlife and biodiversity and provide a sense of seasonal change.

Various elements, such as an outdoor classroom area and a bird feeding area were also included to allow the landscape to be used as a teaching and learning resource. The landscape and planting design was also developed in a way to maximise the existing views over Bute and to the hills of Arran.

Ornamental feature planting has been used at entrances and access points to give a greater sense of arrival.