Landscape Masterplan
The overall Landscape Masterplan has been designed to create a positive response to the surrounding context with respect to existing trees, vegetation and existing circulation routes. The north and western interfaces between the scheme and Midsummer Common feature three unique spaces, each designed to enhance visual amenity in this area of the site.
-
Entrance Courtyard
The Newmarket Road entrance and Arts Café Terrace reflects the quality of the architecture with high quality hard and soft landscaping, announcing ones arrival. The Entrance Courtyard, along with the Midsummer Lawn defines the main pedestrian route through the site. Shared external pedestrian/vehicle surfaces will connect the Newmarket Road entrance to the Midsummer Lawn and associated amenity spaces. Structural tree planting will reinforce the circulation route and provide human scale and residential typology within the external environment. The nature of the Entrance Courtyard will encourage use within a pedestrian friendly environment and ensure a visual link between Newmarket Road and Midsummer Common.
-
Terrace Garden
The topography of this semi-private garden area will be sculpted into a landform that incorporates sculptural seating elements orientated towards Midsummer Common. A sense of enclosure will be created by retaining the existing trees adjacent to the Common, with careful attention paid to the handling of the Root Protection Area to ensure their continuing success. Biodiversity will be encouraged throughout the site, but particularly within this area through native plant mixes, wildflower planting, fruits and flowers to create a colourful seasonal environment.
-
Midsummer Lawn
The Midsummer Lawn is inspired by the collegiate landscape found along 'The Backs' in Cambridge, and forms the main connecting element between the new development and Midsummer Common. Formal in character, the space features a rolling manicured lawn, bordered by formal shrub planting and high quality paved external pathway and seating areas. An avenue of Himalayan Birch frames the view to the Common from the edge of the Entrance Courtyard. From the bank of the River Cam it creates a welcoming setting for the development, encouraging the public to enter the site. Midsummer Lawn is designed to be a pedestrian only environment and cycle use will be discouraged through considered signage sensitive to the landscape design.
-
Communal Courtyard
The Communal Courtyard provides a route for pedestrians and cyclists from Walnut Tree Avenue to the centre of the site, as well as providing access to the Student Courtyard and entry points to private apartments. Legible circulation is created through structural tree planting and external seating, providing a green spine. Soft landscape enhances the positive outlook from the surrounding apartments, creating defensible spaces at ground floor level apartments, screening any car park ventilation which will be designed into the external furniture and walls. The split level within the Communal Courtyard allows for optimum planting conditions for the specified trees above the basement car park. Ramped access from the Entrance Courtyard to the upper terrace of the Communal Courtyard provides access to the Student Courtyard for pedestrian and emergency vehicles.
-
Infinity Courtyard
Although a semi-private space, the Infinity Courtyard has been designed to enhance the visual relationship between the scheme and Midsummer Common. The courtyard is located on a podium over the basement car park, and the front edge has been dropped to minimise the impact of this as well as provide a viewing platform reached by steps with integrated terraced seating. From the courtyard this will provide views of the Common unbroken by guardrails, and a central lawn draws the eye towards the landscape beyond the courtyard. The raised lawn and seating is structured to draw users of the space to areas away from the ground floor apartments, and planted to create defensible spaces. The evolution of the design has created the optimum planting conditions for the specified trees above the basement car park.
-
Student Courtyard
This area provides quality amenity space for the student accommodation and is clearly defined into active and passive zones. High quality hard landscaping will permit emergency vehicle access and occasional parking within the courtyard, while still providing useful amenity. Structural tree planting is used to order the space, create a human scale for the environment, and provide textural and floral interest throughout the seasons. A breakout lawn is located in front of the Student Common Room and planting used to provide defensible spaces for the lower apartments and unify the courtyard. Private Gardens to the east of Block A are screened and protected through tree and shrub planting, selected for form.
