The University proposed to extend their teaching facilities with a new building which predominantly occupies one of the historic courtyards within the Kings Quarter. To offset the loss of the existing courtyard garden, the University proposed to create a new garden in a nearby area of underused open space.
A new small-scale hard landscape courtyard forms the entrance approach to the new building. Comprising of a simple arrangement of small unit concrete blocks which define a sequence of squares within the space, the surface provides a restrained forecourt, with a concrete bench forming the only piece of furniture. Drainage is by a series of linear slot drains associated with shallow crossfalls across the space.
A new garden is created on the southern side of King’s Quarter to offset the loss of the existing garden, set within a larger area of green space. A new accessible path is created leading to a raised planting bed of sensory planting and a layout of simple linear benches. The new garden extent is defined by bands of ground cover planting containing informal tree avenues. Areas of wildflower meadow help to increase the biodiversity value of the garden.
To emphasise the new eastern approach to the building, an entrance canopy and plinth are introduced. The adjacent accessible car parking area is remodelled into a simple pattern of different coloured concrete blocks to delineate the parking spaces whilst a zone of concrete blocks provides a link between the entrance plinth and the adjacent sports fields by a new set of steps. A line of bollards limit the extent to which cars can penetrate the space.
The project is currently on hold awaiting funding confirmation.