LifestyleGROUNDS & GARDENS Come outside
GRAEmE mAnn
argues thecase forbetter useof outdoor space
samecould be asked about the landscaping of communal outdoorareas aroundmany flats andestateblocksaroundthe country. Many developers are already aware of the
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wishes of flat owners to enjoy more green
space.Inresponsetheyare addinglarger landscaped areastotheir developments in order to create inviting andliveable‘outdoor rooms’.Sothe biggest challenge is notnew build but existing blocks. Flat owners are often keen to find a way to update the communal areas around themany estates built over thelast20-40years to reflect theneedsand aspirationsofresidents,without breakingthe bank .However,there is afine line to treadin order to get the right balance between cost, functionality,healthand safety andon-going maintenance.
Strategic planning While most ResidentsManagementCompanies
(RMCs) will have ascheduleofon-going improvements thesetendtobereactive, addressingthe shorttermneedsand requirements of thetenants.Iwould question howmanyRMCshavealongertermstrategic view andplanfor thefutureneedsofthe landscaping around their block. On-going groundsmaintenancemay stop communal greenspace fromslidingintoneglect but without longer term planning howcan residents be sure that it will continue to fulfil itsamenity potential? In thepast, commercial landscapedesigns
were geared towards combining structure, security,alongseasonofgroundcover and
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LASTYEAR, The Guardian newspaperraisedthe questionof whetherornot Britishgardens were stuck in the past? Perhaps the
- if you were lucky - colour. There wasn’t a requirement to consider conservation/habitat management andincreasingbiodiversity, protectingspeciesand theirhabitats, environmentalmanagement or sustainability. Today’sdesigners recognise that agood,
well thought out garden can be a great asset to be enjoyed by residents. Each site should be bespoke and address the needs of both currentand future
tenants.Agood designand wellmaintainedcommunaloutdoor space will encouragetenants to be proudoftheir space andwillhaveanimpactnot only on the well beingofthe residentsbutmayalsobe advantageous in letting or selling properties. Good curb appeal is all part of the selling
strategyand encourages residentstowant to respect the landscaping and form good communities. Thenew wave of naturalistic planting
which has comefrommainland Europe, has done away with the tired leggy shrubbery foundinalot of
olderdevelopments.Neglected and looking grim formost of the year, these areas can quickly become dumping grounds for litter and at night can be quite frightening forresidents returninghomeasyou cannot seethrough thedense dark foliage. Far preferableistoopenupthe spaces,letting in morelight andencouraging wildlife. Providingwell-litseating areasaround scentedplantsand usingplantsverticallyadds interest andmanynew projects include living walls in their design.
Making changes Sowhat should you take into considerationifyou areplanning to
make somechanges to thegreen spacearound your block? Commercial gardenmaintenance is a skilled occupation and your service
provider should be able to give advice onwhat changes and improvements can be achieved dependantonyourbudget. If your projectareaislarge,complex and
needsdesignonamaster-planning scale, a landscape architectmay be required to co- ordinateall aspects of theprocessfrom thesite survey throughtothe contractorsbuilding the finishedprojectand will deal with planning issues, designations, landscapeassessments and even a consultation process if necessary. Forsmall tomediumsizedprojects,
consider engaging theservices of agarden
coordinate all aspects of theprocess
designer. Such companiesmay have theirown in-house teamor work closelywithanumber of
recommendeddesigners.Togetherthey cancapture therequirementsand aspirations foryouroutdoor space andturnthese into workable and costed solutions. They will consider thesoiltype, thedrainage, theangle of thesun,the seasonduringwhich theplants will flower, thedesign, style, cost,quantities andquality of thefinished area.Evensmall changes canmakeabig impact without costing the earth.
Grow your own With theadded pleasure and recent resurgence of grow-your-
own, thereisalsothe opportunitytoget flat owners involved in tendingand harvesting
Summer 2012 Flat Living
Alandscape architect may be required to
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