Comments from the judges
"A well thought out SuDS design, successfully incorporating many different types of SuDS features into a relatively small development.
The project team looked beyond the site boundaries to maximise sustainable drainage impacts."
This is the third consecutive SuDS award R-LA has been awarded since 2020.
This
project sought to transform a previously lead-polluted brownfield site that
housed an elderly care home into 15 new homes within a relatively small site
whilst preserving the existing tree belt and introducing a nature-based SuDS
strategy.
The
success of the resulting award-winning Masterplan is down to the landscape-led
approach. This
resulted in the immediate production of a very early sketch design that
revolved around a strong nature-based SuDS strategy.
The
holistic landscape scheme consists of inter-connected communal rain gardens,
water butts and bioretention planters, SuDS tree pits, green roofs and
permeable paving. Boardwalks, bridges and incidental play features bring users
into closer to the design and create a better appreciation for sustainable
drainage solutions. Together, these design elements reduce runoff rates,
achieve surface and rainwater attenuation within the site, protect buildings
from flooding and improve water quality and biodiversity across the site whilst
also creating green and vibrant amenity areas.
Comments from the judges
(including Prof. Nigel Dunnett):
'An
inspiring example of a planting-led scheme, this project went beyond
the original brief to explore the potential of planting across the site,
and to take every opportunity to increase the green content. The range
and diversity of planting and the commitment to sustainable practices,
including the unforeseen use of SuDS to provide water for irrigation,
were impressive. This is a highly inclusive and innovative project that
has taken a refreshing and forward-looking approach to a historic site,
and that has overcome and worked within considerable constraints.’
The Water Gardens Finalist 2020 New LondonArchitecture NLA Awards - Placemaking Category - Wellbeing Special Prize
2020 Susdrain/Ciria SuDS Award Winner
Small Scale Retrofit
To allow for the restoration of this 1960s private
communal courtyard to take place the whole podium
deck had to be stripped bare. Not only did this expose that the whole system
had existed on bare concrete with no waterproofing for 50 year but it also
uncovered a long forgotten original SuDS design where the
inter-connectivity between the pond and the planters had been lost.
This connectivity restored together with the introduction of
a rainwater harvesting irrigation system under the paving, the
gardens maintain more than 33,000 new seasonal plants and 25 trees. Aquatic
planting thrives in the large ponds hosting more than 400 fish. Maintenance is
organic and chemical free. The Water Gardens are undeniably a unique
hidden gem in Central London.
2019 NFRC Best Roofing project
2019 LRWA Best Liquid Roofing Project
2019 Development Award of the Year
2018 Property Awards