Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Studies
Various locations

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment,
Les Quennevais, Jersey

Rosia Montana
Transylvania

The terra firma Consultancy was appointed in October 2015 to carry out landscape and visual appraisals of 3 site options for the location of a new secondary school in the west of Jersey. Following the decision of the Department for Infrastructure / Jersey Property Holdings to proceed with a planning application on Fields South of Rue Carree, terra firma produced the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) Chapter as part of an environmental impact assessment. This assessment examined the likely impacts on two separate, but interlinked aspects: i) the elements and character of the landscape; and ii) views. As part of the process terra firma gave expert witness evidence in front of the Planning Inspector and provided initial landscape advice in the early stages of design. The school was built in 2020 and is now a thriving facility.

terra firma were invited to contribute to a Cultural Heritage Impact Study considering proposals to create Europe’s largest open cast gold mine set within the Transylvanian mountains, already decimated by 2 millennia of gold mining. The study identified landscape and visual effects, and also considered mitigation opportunities, with a holistic landscape strategy for long-term regeneration based on landscape character pattern.

MIRA Technological Institute
Nuneaton

National Air Traffic Control 
Prestwick

West Yorkshire Police HQ
Leeds and Wakefield

terra firma’s involvement in the project spans over the last couple of decades, from involvement in the development of the concept design for a new Air Traffic Control Centre on an old colliery spoil site, through to implementation on site with extensive SUDS system and habitat creation, followed by a long-term involvement in the overseeing of the management of the landscape.

The home of UK’s automobile research, this well-known Midlands science and technology park has been through substantial (and is about to go through a lot more) growth in accordance with masterplans by Geddes and SGP Architects that have involved terra firma in the full design and assessment process from the outset in 2010 and still occupy the firm now with detailed plot and infrastructure designs.

Dropmore Estate
Burnham

Osterley Park National Trust
Isleworth

Sutton Hoo National Trust
Woodbridge, Suffolk

Working in partnership with the National Trust, Alice Co-authored the landscape part of the Conservation Management Plan for Osterley Mansion House Grade II* Park and Garden (Isleworth). terra firma led the landscape team of specialists and internal consultation with the Trust’s Property Manager, Estates, garden and visitor welcome teams to support and develop future policies for the parkland and tenant farmland acting as sub-consultant to Donald Insall Associates working on the Robert Adam mansion.

Images by: Nissen Richards Studio

‘Sutton Hoo Revealed’ – the re-interpretation of Sutton Hoo, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Europe.

The project aims to release the power and magical inspiration of this special site though the stories that reside within its seventh century burial mounds, to enhance the appreciation of the landscape and its unique topography. Transformation of the visitor experience and telling the story of inter-connectedness between this nationally significant site; a royal burial ground from the early Anglo-Saxon Period and its place within the wider landscape of the River Deben Estuary and gateway to wider European cultures. terra firma produce the LVIA and design to upgrade the National Trust’s visitor centre facilities, create new walk and management of the parkland landscape at Sutton Hoo, the internationally recognised and archaeological significant Royal Burial Ground. The scheme was awarded the 2022 RIBA National Award and East of England Award.

Historic estate built for Lord Grenville in the late 18th century, prime minister who abolished slavery and a great plant collector. The estate holds a nationally important pinetum. terra firma were involved in producing a Conservation Management Plan, masterplan and detailed designs for the estate’s upgrading, and administered early contracts for their implementation.

One of a number of projects for the University of Portsmouth, the new build facility in Ravelin Park houses both teaching and public consulting areas, with a central courtyard forming social space, with planting reflecting colours used in the building fabric and glazing.

At the invitation of the concept designer, Kim Wilkie, terra firma took on the detailed landscape design of this prestigious scheme for a new centre in Wales – designed by the late Japanese Architect, Kisho Kurokawa, and detailed by Garbers & James. The scheme comprised a contemplative garden with a bowled lawn of meadow grass and serpentine mown paths contained by sweeping landform, with a patchwork of vegetable and herb beds defined by curved slate paths.

Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre
Swansea

Silverwood, St Peter’s Hospital
Chertsey

University of Portsmouth Dental Outreach Centre
Portsmouth

Full design services for a redevelopment of a centrally located FE College. New public open space with complex levels, forming the focal point of the new College Wings and much needed outdoor social space for students, with decorative paving and planting to ensure climate adaptability. The project was a finalist in the regional Civic Trust awards 2022.

A large replacement Special Educational Needs school for Croydon, working with HNW Architects on this £36 million project. terra firma worked with the design team on this incredibly complex and constrained site from sketch design through to implementation and completion. The project was a finalist in both the LABC Best Public Building and the SECBE Project of the Year 2021.

Terra firma worked closely with the college to develop proposals for a new courtyard space to create as many seating opportunities as possible, allowing for large groups, as well as more intimate groups, with a range of spaces to provide quiet areas and more active, central spaces. In addition a small amphitheatre was created to provide extra seating under a canopy and to facilitate outdoor teaching, larger gatherings, and rehearsals and performances. We also worked directly with the college to redesign an existing courtyard to better facilitate the heavy usage including walking routes between building and external dining, as well as additional seating areas.

Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
Eastleigh

Brighton Metropolitan College
Brighton

St Nicholas SEN School
Croydon

terra firma had a long-running role in relation to the design and construction of 2 new divisional headquarters and a large, regional training facility which were completed as part of a PFI contract in 2014.

Boutique hotel and restaurant external spaces including entrance alley and courtyard garden complete with lush planting, lighting, canopies, built in seating and spectacular water features.

Chineham Business Park
Chineham

Curzon Street
London

Hampshire Corporate Park
Chandlers Ford