It's been a while

I haven't posted anything since the 13th December; the first term finished in a bit of a rush. We pinned up our 1:2000 master plans and the crits went on for all the afternoon and then into the evening. Once your crit was finished you were free to go but I would have liked a group summing up and opportunity to ask a few more questions, but there was no time. The individual feedback was very good and I've got comments to work on to develop the master plan and then start to drill down into 1:500, sketches and so on.

Historic Garden Conservation culminated in all of us making our final presentations and handing in the A3 Conservation Management Plan. It was a good day and brilliant to see everyones presentations and ideas. An evening out with the group was a perfect end to the term. I'd kept going until the Thursday and then the flu set in on the Friday, today is the first day I'm feeling anywhere near normal so thought I'd post a blog and wish everyone a belated Christmas and a great 2012.

Time now to focus on the work for when we return which includes some History and Philosophy of Garden Design and a set of drawings, sketches and A3 Master plan document for Garden Design. I'm looking forward to it now and will take a trip down to Sovereign Park to do sketches.

I've noticed that Christmas cards make great little sketches and good for practising trees and street scenes. One advantage of milder weather is that the white flowering Camellia which I call my Christmas Camellia look beautiful for longer; when there's a hard frost the petals go brown and they only look good on the first day they flower, but this year we can really enjoy them -  I've included a photo so you can enjoy them too.

Christmas Camellia in my front garden

Masterplan Interim Crit

Pinned up the three Sovereign Park masterplan designs and Jamie, Julia and Paula reviewed them. I was keen to progress with Playful but I needed to define the Big Idea, I had lots of ideas about how the space would be used but needed a hook to hang it on. Jamie threw a few words/ideas into the ring to help me focus and the one that has stuck (excuse the pun) is Magnet - it sums up what I want the Sovereign area to become. A magnet for artists, craft stalls, christmas markets - imagine if you will the banks of the Seine, the banks of the Thames all lined with artists showing their work, the fun atmosphere in Covent Garden square, characaturists drawing people, fun market stalls, fish stalls, actors, musicians. A lovely cafe with a fun atmosphere. Job opportunities for locals. All pulled to the redesigned promenade area.

Issues to address on the plan are the beach path, re-siting the central hub area further away from the waterworks, layout of trees, the ratio of hard to soft landscaping.

Issues to address on the style are the whole page layout, correct size page - in future must read all e mails even if I think it's a resend,  there could be important information added to the bottom of it! Lesson learnt. The use of graphics, not to mix styles.

I came away really pleased, I have a lot to work on but feel inspired by what I'm doing.

Masterplan Layout Ideas

I've been working on the three masterplan concepts, Connective, Educational and Playful. I'm really pleased to get these done even though the chosen one will need a lot of work on scale, the ideas are there and I can really develop them. The next stage is to choose one masterplan and then work on an area of it at 1:500.

Connective, based on an oblong grid with strong connections north to south as well as trying to connect the people with the area. Connecting with the sea via splash points. A cafe and central meeting area is included. Alternative paths offer rest and relaxation. Some of the SNCI is protected with raised walkways over it.

Educational, based on a stretched fishing net grid. The focus is to restore, conserve and manage the SNCI so it becomes the UK's number 1 coastal habitat. There is a large visitor centre with a cafe and study areas. Within the design there are study zones as well as play zones and areas for concerts and shows.

Playful, A beach path shaped to mimic the Seven Sisters runs parallel with 2 other walk zones, the north side is a tree lined promenade with sunday markets, possibly looking at closing the road on a Sunday. The centre path is shared and meanders through quirky shaped zones for different activities, play and relaxation. It has splash points out into the sea and a central meeting space.

Masterplan Sketch

Really got stuck into Masterplan today and thoughts are coming together. Still struggling with 1:2000, having to keep remembering how big a car is and imagining it on the plan. Did some idea sketching. I know it's not quite right in terms of perspective but it gives the idea of what I want to achieve, and it didn't take long, (so I'll do lots more). It's a wide allee with avenue of trees either side and themed mosaic circular patterns set into the surface, it leads along to a central area where there is a cafe and other facilities. The central area is where the three paths meet, one coming off the beach and one in between the allee and the beach. The beach track will mimic the shape of the seven sisters.  The cafe will have a sun deck. further along where the beacon is will become a splash point, fun in winter or summer. More ideas on the way.

Initial ideas for an allee along the north boundary with mosaic patterns set into the ground

Revised A1

I've put the Park map on and also sorted out the text, thanks to Ben and Harriet for telling me not to rasterize text layers so you can edit them. The text is now as I want it, each heading the same size and colour.

Time

Time for everything...

we all have the time for everything… a time to play and a time to sleep a time to move and a time to be stiff a time to cry and a time to laugh a time to be weak and a time to be tough. a time to doubt and a time to trust a time to agree and a time to contrast a time to be slow and a time to be fast a time to fade and a time to last. having twenty four hours a day, we have… a time to be good and a time to be bad a time to be mad and a time to be glad a time to be silent and a time to be loud a time to be down and a time to be proud a time to be smart and a time to be dumb a time to be hurt and a time to be loved a time to be honest and a time to lie a time to live and of course a time to die. Frieda Taller

Knole A1 for CMP presentation

Have put together my Conservation Management Plan (CMP) A1 for Thursdays draft presentation (in preparation for the final crit and hand in on the 15th). I've kept the words to a minimum, included sketches and photos and will bring it to life with what I say! It's a five minute presentation so will be clear and concise. I feel I know this project really well now. I'm planning to get the document finished this week end.

The A1 for presentation on the CMP

Masterplanning 2

A lot more in class today about the words - Educational, Connective and Playful - what they mean, what images they conjure up, words associated with them. Some/All the words then have meaning and help in the Masterplanning process for each scenario.

Then it was onto the base map and working out what is important - views, buildings, access etc. Building up layers of importance that we then did some conceptual ideas onto about how the design might work. This is at 1:2000, I've not worked at this scale before so have to keep reminding myself just how large the area is. It's not about individual trees but the idea that the trees will be there. The detail comes at 1:500, although I guess that will only be detailed to a point. I need to check out a few plans at 1:2000 to help with portraying my ideas.

Masterplanning 1

My initial ideas collated over the week end. I did it in a word document so have just copied and pasted into here.

Sovereign Park

  

  Above Creating an inclusive design

 Vision

Connective

Create a journey through the landscape that blends the modernity of the Marina development with the traditional style of the old town, revealing views and points of interest along the way.

Connect the Marina with the old town of Eastbourne by putting more emphasis on Sovereign Park as a destination rather than a transient space. To encourage visitors and locals to visit the area, whatever the weather.

To create meeting places using man-made structures and natural planting that provide shelter from the elements to make it a welcoming and attractive destination throughout all the seasons.

Connect with all generations and user types (cycling, walking, running, buggy’s, wheelchairs) by providing space that does not bring them into conflict.

Connect the space from north to south through a journey east to west and vice versa in a way that it is accessible to everyone, whatever his or her physical limitations. Make the beach and sea accessible for all abilities.

Connect the materials used in the design with the natural materials found in the landscape.

Connect the planting palette throughout the journey to create a contemporary feel that fits with the modern effects of the design.

Connect with the local resident population by creating employment through the design.

 

Strategy/ideas

·      To create a social and meeting area by developing a destination café.

·      Develop the Site of Nature Conservation Importance

·      Develop the park area with improved seating and shelter

·      Use curves rather than linear paths.

·      Sculptures, historical with a modern twist

·      Rockpools

·      Build into the sea

Vision

Educational

Make the area the UK’s prime location for the study of ancient coastal habitats by developing the Area of Nature Conservation Importance. Encourage the growth of lost species by replanting and monitoring their growth and development.

To achieve SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) status for the habitat and obtain lottery funding for its development.

To develop an Educational Journey throughout Sovereign Park that appeals to all age groups and abilities, that covers:

·      The history of Eastbourne

·      How the elements (wind, rain, tides) have changed the landscape

·      What it may look like in the 22^nd Century

Create this journey from west to east, moving from the traditional old town to the modern Marina development. Have an Educational Centre as the focus that includes the story of the journey but also welcomes Art, Craft and Musical exhibitions and shows. The centre will be a viewing platform and include amenities such as toilets and a café. It will become a new and vibrant destination encouraging a new visitor profile as well as appealing to local schools and clubs.

The building will be a 21^st Century design using natural, sustainable materials and incorporating renewable energy sources including solar power, a wind turbine and hydro-electric power.

The design will create local jobs for local people.

Vision

Playful

To create a stimulating and dynamic design that plays with the natural elements of wind, sun and tide. The interaction will create different sounds, moods, lights and effects to change the ambience of the park on each visit.

All visitors will be invited and encouraged to join in; the space will be interactive and fun for all age groups and abilities. It will strive to bring the sea closer (metaphorically not physically) by creating platforms where you can be washed in the spray on a windy day or enjoy the gentle sweep of the tide on a calm day.

Wind tunnels and wind pipes will turn people’s perception of the wind into a positive force and persuade them it is the place to be on a windy day.

Reflective glass panels will trap the sun’s light and reflect it back in all colours of the rainbow depending on the light and time of day. It will be Eastbourne’s own Aurora Borealis.

Height and depth will be used to give surprise and adventure, maze like paths will lead you through the area with interest points along the way.

Planting will be unusual to play with your mind, proportion and scale will be used to create illusions of width.

A café, built from sustainable materials and using ecological and renewable energy sources, will be a focal point for visitors and residents.

The design scheme will provide local job opportunities.