The summer has seen the firm’s trademark diversity and geographical reach continuing both here and abroad: Lion Square at University of Portsmouth – refreshing new external space for staff and students – has been completed and just been Commended in the Portsmouth Society’s 2009 Design Awards. Phase 1 of the internationally-important Butterflyworld attracted attention from the national press on its public opening; Kingstanding Shopping Centre in Birmingham has been refurbished; Heriots, a large private garden in Hertfordshire has been completed; as has, too, our work on the surprisingly contemporary new look for Butlins Spa Hotel in Bognor Regis. (see more on our landscape architecture projects pages)
The Selsey East Beach Regeneration Masterplan and New Hanza City Masterplan for Riga in Latvia were completed, as were detail design phases of the New Cyprus Cultural Centre in Nicosia. Our Dubai office has worked on the prestigious project to design the Saadiyat Cultural Park in Abu Dhabi which will feature temporary outposts of the Louvre and Guggenheim Museums.
New projects during the period include a new hospital in Aylesbury, along with smaller healthcare facilities in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Housing Association work such as plans for the refurbishment of Colliers Way Estate in Reading for Raglan, and local projects including new parking provision for the Gilbert White Museum in Selborne. Environmental Impact Assessment related work has taken members of staff to Cornwall, Isle of Man and the south of France. Proof of Evidence/Appeal appearance work is currently being undertaken on behalf of Arun District Council and we are talking to other Local Authorities on provision of Term Services and formulating Landscape Guidelines.
We are in the process of launching specific approaches to Schools and Local Councils with a view to offering environmentally inspired training courses along with input from specialist colleagues in ecology and arboriculture. We feel our involvement over the years in both sectors, much of which has been on a voluntary basis, could have much to offer.
We were pleased to be involved with Solent Centre for Architecture and Design’s ‘Grounds for Optimism’ project particularly when Hounsdown School, with whom we had worked, claimed the Green Award from over 100 applications – congratulations to them!
Hot Press; We have just heard our Leonard Cheshire Memorial Garden has been voted a finalist in the Best Parks or Gardens Project category by the judges for the Horticulture Week Landscape and Amenity Awards.
It was good to have our Portsmouth Enviropark ideas included in George Lam’s ‘Ideas and Concepts in Landscape Architecture’ published by Pace earlier this year and articles published in Vista, including Alison’s piece on the Principles of English Law as it relates to Landscape Architecture, and the first of several Landscape related articles by Ramune published in Lithuania’s ARCHIFORMA due to be published soon. We have also had press mentions for involvements on several of the higher profile projects such as Butterflyworld, Butlins, Portsmouth University and Selsey but also for some particularly well received work at Rosemary Gardens with Tim O’Hare Associates on behalf of Islington Borough Council.
Ramune and Tom have been organising informal get togethers out of hours at Terra Firma’s offices for other Landscape Institute Pathway to Chartership candidates to meet and discuss relevant issues to the syllabus, variously with specialist experts or more senior colleagues in attendance. Others are most welcome to join if they’d like to contact either of them. Vincent delivered a talk at this summer’s ‘Univercities’ conference at The University of Portsmouth School of Architecture highlighting Landscape related sustainability issues.
Martin was elected Chair of the SE Branch of the Institute in the spring and is applying his customary energy and enthusiasm to the task. Meanwhile Lionel has pulled back on his involvement there and completed his fourth and final year as external examiner at Greenwich this June. He continues on the Local Architects panel and being involved with LI International Committee and as an Annual Awards Judge. He belatedly celebrated his 50th alongside Caron’s 40th and Hew’s 18th at Freshwater Cottage on July 4th appropriately surrounded by 200 with marquee, music and mayhem.
Sadly we have to say farewell to 3 wonderful ladies [though happily only temporarily in one case];
Jenni Ashton who leaves us this month after 2 years as a Landscape Assistant converting from her Geography degree and en route for an MA in Landscape Architecture. We wish her the very best – particularly with her band currently doing a Radio 1 session and interview with Steve Lamacq!
Ramune Sanderson who leaves us for a year’s maternity on birth of her and Gareth’s second child due in October – Good luck!
But most poignantly to our dear friend and colleague Denise Bird who passed away after her long and extraordinarily brave fight against cancer in August this year. You are greatly loved and missed.
