Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 65 - 2024 i Landscape & Urban Design

The LI Awards, held this year on 3rd November, is an annual celebration of people, place and nature, and the myriad ways that landscape projects can connect them. Hosted by BBC Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt, it was the Awards’ 30th anniversary, a tribute to the longevity of their impact and success. Taking home the prestigious President’s Award, presented by President-Elect of the Landscape Institute, Carolin Göhler, was ‘Challenging Public Health Inequalities Across Bradford District’, a wide-ranging scheme by Bradford Metropolitan District Council. The project, which also won the ‘Excellence in Public Health and Wellbeing’ category, tackles public health disparities by integrating green and blue infrastructure, highlighting the vital role of the environment in health outcomes. Rooted in participatory and co-creation principals and extensive research, its focus is on the social…

There is something about artificial lawns that inspires strong and negatively biased opinions. Apocalyptic images of large swathes of land being covered in plastic, melting in the heat, and choking the local wildlife, give a false impression of what is actually a highly versatile and durable product. Despite its reputation, artificial grass is a viable alternative ground-covering option for outside spaces or on private or commercial landscaping projects. Helped or hindered (we haven’t decided yet) by the influencer Mrs Hinch and nightly images of the fake grassed Love Island and Big Brother gardens filling our screens, artificial grass has probably garnered more interest than it probably deserves. Last spring, Welsh climate change minister, Julie James proposed banning the use of artificial lawns completely in public places in Wales (except sports…

Founded in 2009 and based in Yorkshire, Verus Construction, the modern residential specialist has recently completed a luxury home project on Sandmoor Avenue, Leeds. Through the use of polished concrete flooring throughout the ground floor, the specialist team has created a distinctive home that celebrates open plan living, brutalism and minimalist luxury. Damian Barker, Founder and CEO of Verus Construction, says of the completed project: “In the last decade there’s been a real shift in interest toward buildings using concrete as part of attention grabbing home interiors. We’ve seen exposed concrete ceilings and particularly polished concrete flooring spike in popularity, giving the feeling of a simple and honest shell and creating clean and calming spaces. Brutalism as an interior style often makes use of concrete surfaces, creating hard angles whilst…

Lux Unique design and manufacture bespoke high quality steel garden products in the UK. The team behind Lux Unique are family and fabricate all their own products in Cheshire. They have a wealth of state-of-the-art machinery and expertise at their disposal and are very experienced in all aspects of steel fabrication and design. Over the last few years, the company has grown to support many garden designers and clients in creating bespoke pieces for their outside spaces which are beautifully designed and will stand the test of time. The popularity of Cor-ten steel known for its exceptional strength, longevity and zero maintenance has seen this material become the product of choice for so many landscapers and garden designers. Lux Unique offer a minimum thickness of 3mm on all Cor-ten products…

Lightemotion, a global lighting design consultancy creating pathways to enhanced human experiences, proudly presents its enlightenment of Square Viger, a neglected public space bridging Montreal’s contemporary downtown core with the preserved history of Old Montreal. Forming part of an 8-year contemporary overhaul to restore the space as a green and accessible public square, the project anchors around the preservation of an existing historic monument, and the revival of pergolas originally designed by Quebec artist Charles Daudelin. “In the 1950s and 60s, Square Viger was an iconic space in the style of a New York City park,” explains François Roupinian, President and Design Director of Lightemotion. “But then a highway through the downtown core was constructed underneath it, and it was restored in more of a Brutalist style in the 1970s.”…

A Revolution in Composite Decking The Trekker Endura range is the latest addition to the Trekker catalogue and comprises of a woodgrain finish and a grooved finish. Both finishes are available in five contemporary colours from natural browns to stylish greys, and each finish and colour comes with its own matching bullnose nosing for that perfect decking solution. Formulated from a high density mineral WPC core and coated with a Nanotech Shield, this decking is built to stand the test of time whilst giving the look of a timber deck. Designed with reliability and longevity in mind, the Endura range is the perfect solution for high traffic, commercial areas as well as residential areas. The Nanotech Shield gives a high resistance to stains (particularly fats) and offers outstanding scratch resistance,…

We are an award-winning independent consultancy known for our excellence in providing Environmental Design services within the UK’s planning and development sectors. Our track record showcases a proven ability to deliver successful, sustainable projects in environmentally and historically sensitive locations. At the core of our success is a dedicated team of skilled Landscape Architects, Ecologists and Visualisers committed to bringing our clients’ projects to life. We specialise in designing and implementing solutions that consider sustainability from the outset and integrate seamlessly with the natural and built environment. We excel in collaborating closely with design teams, clients, and co-consultants to design, restore and deliver green and blue infrastructure projects, including parks and open spaces, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs), lakes, treatment works, watercourses and coastlines. We have a proven track record of…

Amberol’s New Planter Enhancement range of contemporary parklets and planters were launched at FutureScape 2023, showcasing its versatile and stylish design to regenerate public spaces. The New Planter Enhancement range has been designed to help transform outdoor environments, whether that’s creating dedicated urban well-being zones on the high-street or community hubs in rural parks, businesses or campuses. The parklets can feature a combination of seating and planters that can be filled with stunning and tranquil flowers, plants or trees for your community, employees or students to relax and enjoy. They can also be used as part of permanent or temporary traffic management schemes. Amberol’s popular self-watering sustainable Metre Square and Promenade planters are integrated into the new planters, to offer low maintenance and save water, money and time. Tim Troman,…

Tree shelter specialist Tubex is boosting its portfolio of biodegradable solutions with an expanded range of Tubex Nature products in time for the 2023/24 planting season. Alongside the original Tubex Nature Standard shelter are a selection of different sizes and styles, giving customers a comprehensive choice of biodegradable products. The new additions are: o Easywrap – this is designed to expand as the tree grows, for easy installation. o VoleGuards – designed to protect young trees from small rodents and strimmers. o Shrub Shelter – a larger diameter product for shrubs and bushier plants. “The surge in popularity of biodegradable solutions means it is vital to have scalable, effective and sustainable products,” said James Taylor, Commercial Director at Tubex. “We’ve worked hard to extend the benefits already enjoyed by customers…

Trading for over a hundred years BHGS has established an enviable reputation for supplying quality products at competitive prices to a whole range of people involved in horticulture from professional growers, local authorities, garden centres, allotment associations and keen amateur growers. As a business one of our major strengths is that we employ area sales managers together with specialists and office based staff who possess many years experience and detailed knowledge of the horticultural industry, while our fleet of delivery vehicles operating out of our three sites at Worcester, West Sussex and Cornwall enable us to service an extensive area of the Midlands, southern England and Wales. Using outside carriers we are also able to deliver orders throughout mainland UK. In order to enable us to effectively support our extensive…

Welcome to S J Geomatics, where we’re not just land surveyors: we’re your reliable partners in making your project a success. Here’s what makes us stand out, plain and simple. 1. Listen Up: Your Way, Your Survey Ever felt like your needs got lost in translation? Not with us. We get that every project is unique, so we listen, really listen, to what you need. Our surveys aren’t just documents; they’re your project’s story, with all the details you asked for. 2. Quick and High Quality: Because Time Matters In the hustle and bustle of construction, time is money. That’s why we’re all about speed without sacrificing quality. You’ll get a quote on the same day you ask for it, and our final drawings? They’ll be in your hands before…

You might think you don’t have enough space for a water feature in your project but think again. With OASE’s range of water features, you don’t need acres of space to add the meditative sound of moving water. OASE are on hand to help support you through any project with water – no matter the size. Smaller features can still make a great statement – just look at the wall spouts on the page opposite. These solid brass features are perfect for adding to columns or walls. They don’t even need to be part of a large pool but can be used in conjunction with OASE’s reservoirs meaning there’s no open water on show. OASE even make the perfect pumps that power these features, the Aquarius Universal Premium Eco 3000.…

When designing a garden with room for both gardening and relaxation, one should consider the advantages of having a greenhouse. A greenhouse can provide you with a place where you can watch the seasons change. In the early months of spring, the temperature rises quickly as the sun hits the greenhouse making it the perfect room for you to soak up the first rays of spring. The summer evenings in the greenhouse are perfect for dining with friends and family, and in the Autumn, you can sit, and be protected from wind and weather, and watch the colours change. The Juliana Grand Oase series features three different sizes of greenhouses that each offer plenty of room for all your greenhouse dreams, especially if you’re dreaming of growing exotic plants and…

Since 1963, Civic Trees have been at the forefront of tree relocation throughout the UK, from importing the very first Vermeer tree spade into Europe, to designing and constructing the Newman Frame which is now used worldwide. Civic Trees are always looking to pioneer new techniques that aid the relocation of trees. Tree relocation is a concept that involves uprooting trees from one location and transplanting them to another. With current events surrounding environmental issues, relocating trees is even more important now than ever before. By relocating trees instead of cutting them down, we can preserve nature’s beauty while also promoting sustainability. We are proud of our reputation for efficient, cost effective and reliable tree relocation throughout the UK. You can be confident that through our exemplary commitment to staff…

Give your garden project and instant uplift with ready to plant hedges. Suitable for all garden types, both commercial and domestic. At Readyhedge you can choose from: • Metre long lengths • Various heights – from 30cm tall to 200cm tall • Available in Readyhedge bags or Readyhedge troughs Our hedging expertise spans 20 years+, producing over 50,000 metres of instant hedging per year in over 35 varieties. This includes individual plants, low and high panels and even screens. Wide variety of hedges Discover the large selection of evergreen, deciduous and mixed native hedging available. There are quick growing hedges, semi evergreen, formal hedges, and even low maintenance hedges to choose from! Expertly Grown Readyhedge ready to plant hedges are grown to be fully mature, under the watchful eye of…

Corrosion is the biggest threat to the performance of outdoor metal fixings – its consequences range from unsightly stains on the surface of wood to the loss of load bearing capability and premature failure. As the deterioration of a deck fixing is often unseen, failures can occur without any warning causing the safety of the structure to be compromised. Recommended fixings for timber deck boards* Screws provide a number of advantages over nails – they are unlikely to lift if movement occurs; are more easily removed to allow access; are less likely to be damaged during installation and hammer dents on boards are avoided. Specialised decking screws are available which include features such as: self-drilling threads and self-countersinking heads. All fixings should be between 2-3 times the length of the…

Background: Part of the Harrogate conservation area, Craven Lodge on Victoria Avenue is an imposing double-fronted dwelling and was the first Victorian villa to be built on the site. After many years of disuse, a full renovation is taking place to change the building from its recent office use, into a mix of offices and luxury apartments. To increase the green credentials, and to add a further degree of privacy to the frontage, a 22-metre trench was planned to provide adequate shared rooting volume for four, 3-metre-high Hornbeam ‘Frans Fontaine’ trees. These stunning trees retain their columnar shape into maturity and are an excellent choice to provide a classic architectural shape and beautiful colour, especially in Autumn. The new trees were positioned to break up and sit between parking spots…

Screwshop – the home of Turboqwik screws, has welcomed Rhino screws into its portfolio of products. Branded in distinctive Rhino printed boxes. Rhino Yellow Pozi multipurpose chipboard screws in our blue Rhino skin printed box Our economic single thread, double countersunk head, high strength hardened woodscrew in a yellow CR6 coating and designed to be consistently reliable in various types of wood and man-made boards, or into masonry with the use of a plastic plug. Rhino concrete frame screws in our Rhino skin orange box Used mainly for window and door frames but also versatile for joinery, electrical and plumbing applications, for use in Concrete, Brick, Stone, Block and Wood. Used with a Torx30 bit (included) Zinc and Yellow Passivated for extra protection against corrosion. High-Lo Thread, 30mm hi-lo starting…

Adaptive, engaging and resilient are the three concepts that drive innovation at Pictorial Meadows. For 20 years Pictorial Meadows, working alongside their partners including the University of Sheffield, have been at the forefront of developing stunning designed meadows for our urban spaces. Ever Changing Colour The flower meadows created by Pictorial Meadows are truly adaptive, engaging and resilient. None more so than their original “Classic” flower meadow. This mix was meticulously designed by Professor Nigel Dunnett, from the Landscape Department at The University of Sheffield, to mimic the intense colour waves found in nature. It is the ever changing colour waves in this mix that people love and that elicits such strong emotional responses. Maximum impact with the minimum input It was intentionally designed to deliver the highest visual impact…

Root barriers are frequently the unseen key to successful landscaping and construction projects. When used strategically, they can save money on the maintenance and repairs caused by root damage. But that’s not all. They can preserve neighbourly relations by preventing root encroachment onto neighbouring land. Homeowners are increasingly getting their hands dirty, taking on projects like installing bamboo barrier to prevent encroachment from running bamboo. Beyond simply safeguarding The core purpose of root barrier is to block or offer protection from roots; however, this ability extends their use for a range of purposes. Root barriers provide an effective solution for controlling the development of tree roots around newly planted trees and for managing tree-related subsidence. Costs for the installation of root barriers are a fraction of those for underpinning as…

SPATEX 2024 is the starting point for landscape designers, specifiers, architects, developers, town planners, builders, and all those interested in water leisure. See, touch, and gain inspiration from the latest water features, ice baths, swimming pools, spas, saunas, steam rooms, wellness suites, and enclosures. The UK’s only dedicated water leisure show has it all, and more, and is free to attend from Tuesday 6th to Thursday 8th February at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Why attend SPATEX 2024? • Unique showcase - SPATEX 2024 provides an opportunity to view and compare a host of new innovations in a fast-moving market. With over a hundred exhibiting companies, including all the leading water leisure manufacturers and suppliers from around the world, the glittering showcase will include every aspect of water leisure. •…

Maze is one of the UK’s largest and fastest growing premium outdoor furniture brands, committed to delivering style, comfort and quality. As an independent business we’ve had a different approach since we launched in 2009, one where we’ve innovated in the market to introduce new products and collections to match evolving consumer needs. We understand how important our outdoor spaces are, so we’re passionate about developing collections that enhance consumers outdoor living whilst reflecting their personal style. Our range includes products suited to all outdoor spaces, with Rattan, Aluminium, Rope Weave and Weatherproof fabric furniture collections to choose from, plus a growing range of outdoor living products and accessories. 2022 Maze revitalised their brand with a new logo and website to represent the companies fundamental core values: Innovation, Pioneering Spirit…

Hosted by the European Union of Swimming Pool and Spa Associations (EUSA), the annual European Pool and Spa Awards celebrate the most outstanding domestic pools, spas and hot tubs in the Wet Leisure Industry, with award winners from across Europe competing for the highest accolades. We now know who the judges have voted to be the most beautiful swimming pool builds and hot tub installations in Europe because, on October 24th, the winners of the EUSA Awards 2023 were announced at aquanale in Cologne. SPATA are delighted to announce that XL Pools, based in Kent, has scooped one of these top accolades this year, with a Bronze in the Domestic Pools with an Enclosure category. Anthony Exell of XL Pools commented on their win; “As a team, we are delighted…

A swimming pool, inground spa, and wellness suite are luxurious wet leisure additions to any home or commercial project. A space to exercise and improve health and wellbeing for domestic clients, creating a social space for commercial clients, it’s a fantastic feature to set themselves apart from the competition and help drive increased revenue. Your clients will have ideas about how their new wet leisure project should look, its features, and how it will improve their lifestyle or business; there are many things to consider. The specialist advice and assistance of a SPATA member in the design process can help support you and bring your client’s ideas to life, practically and cost-effectively, and streamline the project to ensure that the timescales and budgets are met with the overall assurance of…

Get all decked out with some tips to help you make light work of your next makeover project: 1. Choose composite Aside from saving our precious trees, there’s a reason the pros are choosing composites over natural materials – they are engineered to outperform traditional timber when it comes to installation, maintenance and upkeep. No more sanding, varnishing, painting or pesticides! Composites are fast becoming the go-to material for the green building industry, offering affordable alternatives to traditional raw materials that are more effective and longer lasting. Natural fibres such as bamboo, coconut, coir or jute have been used as a reinforcing material in building for centuries. Their natural density, elasticity and strength is enhanced by combining them with recycled plastic polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene (PE).…

In urban development, sustainability is the keystone to building a greener and more environmentally conscious future. GreenBlue Urban, a pioneer in urban sustainability, have gained a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for RootSpace. Following BRE certification* RootSpace will achieve an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). This groundbreaking assessment, conducted by Eight Associates, focuses on the product’s material source and manufacturing, utilising 100% recycled polypropylene, this article explains how RootSpace is contributing to a more sustainable urban landscape. The LCA Process: The LCA for RootSpace* is a comprehensive study that delves into the fundamental aspects of the manufacturing process. It encompasses the product composition, energy consumption, water consumption, and the use of ancillary materials such as lubricating oils and hydraulic oils. The approach is based on primary data, ensuring accuracy in assessing the…

As a key part of The Hills Group, Hills Quarry Products has continued to build on its 120-year history with further expansion of its ready-mixed concrete business across the south of England. The last twelve months has seen Hills open new concrete plants in Swindon in Wiltshire and Wilmington in Devon. Hills Quarry Products has also futureproofed aggregate supplies with planning approval for its largest gravel quarry to date at Down Ampney in Gloucestershire. With eight concrete plants, seven quarries and a large fleet of tippers and mixers, including mini-mix, Hills is perfectly placed to fulfil orders of concrete, specialist concretes, floor screeds, stone, gravel, sand and unique, decorative aggregates. Visit us: hills-quarry.co.uk Contact us: info@hills-group.co.uk…

American company Yardex is bringing sustainable synthetic turf to the European market using their new $30 million production facility. Yardex comes from the founders and operators of Stadia Sport and Leisure Solutions and has over 20 years of experience in the industry, completing over 1000 sports and landscaping projects in North America, Africa, the Middle East, and areas of Europe. As part of its broader strategy, the company is fully expanding into Europe with an initial focus on Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, and Spain. Ensuring high quality in all these markets is crucial to Yardex and is the reason behind the purpose-built manufacturing facility. Using the most advanced machinery on the market guarantees consistent precision and quality while maintaining key environmental targets. To date, the consistently high quality…

Our long-term strategy is to introduce new and innovative products to our range. Using our own data and market research we continually endeavour to find new and exciting products to complement our existing product range. We have recently added three new Organic-Mineral Fertilisers to our portfolio manufactured by DCM in Belgium. We are delighted that these Fertilisers are now available in the UK, exclusively from Thorntrees Amenity Ltd. From the very beginning, DCM has continuously strived to care more than the rest. In a time when chemical fertilisers were considered the only option, DCM was already committed to bring sustainability into performance fertilisers. With the introduction of MINI GRAN® fertilisers, organic and organic-mineral fertilisers became the new standards for European professionals - not only for organic production, but for conventional…

RHS Garden Wisley has chosen Otterbine to provide its flagship garden with sustainable irrigation. Otterbine’s 25HP Polaris Giant Fountain was installed at RHS Garden Wisley in Woking as part of the Royal Horticultural Society’s project to create a new rainwater capture lake, providing great quality irrigation to one of the largest plant collections in the world. In today’s climate, water can be a scarcity and harvesting rainwater supports the conservation of this vital resource. The water has to be good enough quality to use though which is where Otterbine’s 25HP Giant Polaris fountain steps in. Matthew Pottage, curator of RHS Garden Wisley, explains: “The Giant fountain is installed in our new lake which is connected to our garden irrigation system. The lake collects winter rainwater for summer irrigation and the…

Playspaces design, manufacture, supply and install bespoke outdoor playground equipment, providing individual play equipment pieces or complete turnkey playground builds. Their extensive range of timber playground equipment has products suitable for every age and setting, including safety and all-weather surfacing. Their bespoke designs and robust high-quality installations are suitable for schools, nurseries, parks, housing developments and commercial outdoor play areas. Playspaces strongly believe in the importance of outdoor play and sport for children’s development and enjoyment, and they strive to supply the best equipment to facilitate physical play, learning and fun. Their trim trails, (also known as an adventure trails or fitness trails) are an excellent way to encourage children to stay fit and healthy. Whether climbing, crawling, hanging or balancing, children are encouraged to develop coordination as well as…