GREENING THE CITY – GETTING IT RIGHT AT THE DESIGN STAGE
It is recognised that greening buildings, by incorporating landscaped terraces and green roofs, add value. The Landscape Institute sponsored a recent panel discussion, “Greening the City” on this topic last week. As well as creating more desirable buildings to live in, green features maximise urban micro-habitats. Of increasing concern is the use of propriety systems for green walls and roofs and a move away from bespoke design.
We utilised the propriety Mobilane system in the design of the green wall for a development on Orsman Road adjacent to Regents Canal. However, we carefully reviewed the system for its suitability and changed elements of it to ensure that the plants used were suitable for the location. This is especially important in urban environments where local micro-climates can develop: light can be limited and unusual air currents can be present, affecting plant growth.
JFA were recently contacted by a client for whom we had done some peripheral landscape design and specification on a large institutional building, completed in 2009/2010. Incorporated in the building design was a series of green roofs and terraces. These had been specified by the architect and used a proprietary system. The green roofs were largely failing. We were unable to advise and suggested that the client discuss the issue with the architect. The outcome of this is unknown, but the likely resulting liability issues could have been avoided if the suitability of the propriety system had been assessed at the design stage. This is something to bear in mind in greening the city.
Client Focus
In an effort to ensure that we serve our clients well, JFA staff undertook our annual Mission and Vision workshop this week. We are also surveying clients upon project completion for their feedback. This has resulted in really useful information and we are refining our systems to reflect what we are hearing from clients and ensure that it is reflected in our company goals.
JFA in the Media
Natasha Newbury is featured in Horticulture Week’s on-line ‘zine describing her day, while
Adam Earl, one of our team ecologists in West Sussex has recently been featured in Building Magazine. See the full article on Adam at:
www.building.co.uk/careers/my-working-day-jfa-ecologist-adam-earl/5026562.article
Project News
JFA are advising Latchmere Homes on a site in Guildford to assist in enabling development. Site management proposals have been prepared and a programme to conserve plant species and habitats has been developed.
One of our private clients has successfully received planning permission for the refurbishment of The Nunnery main house near Horsham, West Sussex. We undertook both a landscape site appraisal and ecology surveys, including EPS licensed bat work which has now been largely completed; renovation of the main house is on-going.