Spring news
As we embrace the last moments of spring, we’ve taken a moment to celebrate recent studio achievements and experiences.
Recently our team completing the first phase of the Folkestone Seafront Development ‘Shoreline’ and submitted proposals for the Folkestone Harbour Plan, the final piece of the Folkestone Seafront Masterplan. We also submitted the planning application for 2,500 home masterplan Ladbroke Grove ‘Project Flourish’ (North Kensington) and the completion of construction works for Haydon Gardens (Aldgate).
We welcomed new talent to our growing team, including Ruby Allison, and Violet Blyth and extend our heartfelt congratulations to May Jan MacIntyre and Frankie Tomany as they embark on their journey of parenthood.
As we look towards the fast-approaching summer, we are filled with enthusiasm and a renewed commitment to creating lasting positive effects through thoughtful and impactful design.
Project updates
University of East London – Approved
The University of East London, Stratford Campus Development has been approved by LB Newham. A vision of UEL striving to become the UK’s leading career-intensive university. The proposals are By UEL, For UEL, and the community. The proposals include a lush publicly accessible garden courtyard of naturalistic planting and pocket social spaces; a pedestrian informal street with university café spill-out seating, planting, and leisure games; improved walking and cycling permeability between residential existing streets; improved streetscape frontage with new trees, planting, seating and incidental play; community growing areas; and communal social space on podium terraces. We cannot wait to see this delivered and full of life!
Ladbroke Grove ‘Project Flourish’ – Submitted
Proposals for Project Flourish, within the Kensal Canalside Opportunity Area were submitted for planning approval. The masterplan provides 3.68ha (more than 3.5 Trafalgar Squares!) of high quality, publicly accessible open space, including two new public parks. With a tapestry of varied planting at ground and 1.5ha of biodiverse roofscape, the project will dramatically increase biodiversity and the number of natural habits in the area.
Below are a few fun facts:
- Ladbroke Green lawn is the size of 6 tennis courts
- Over 750 new trees will be planted across the site (that’s over 10% of all the street trees within the RB of Kensington and Chelsea)
The proposed development is calculated to deliver a 650% increase in biodiverse habitat value
Haydon Gardens – Completed
Over the spring, landscape works have been completed for the residential phase of the Minories Masterplan. Designed to provide a generous new green heart to the development, the gardens comprise a tranquil planted courtyard crafted with high-quality granite and Yorkstone materials- synonymous with the City of London and is bordered with open lawn areas and children’s play space.
©JackHobhouse
©JackHobhouse
Smithfield Riverside Roushill Park – Approved
The first phase of Smithfield Riverside planning has been approved! Nestled north of Shrewsbury’s bustling town centre, Smithfield Riverside emerges as a visionary regeneration endeavour, masterplanned by FaulknerBrown Architects in collaboration with Spacehub. This transformative project, sustained by Levelling Up Funding and Local Enterprise Partnership support, unfolds in phases, commencing with essential demolition and preparatory works and the delivery a new public park.
Alban Gate ‘Mode London’ – Approved
Mode London (Formerly Alban Gate) planning application has been approved by the City of London. TP Bennett Architects have proposed sympathetic improvements to refurbish the ground floor and 1st floor high walk of Sir Terry Farrell’s towers at 125 London Wall. The Site, south of the Barbican Conservation area, forms a bridge connection to Spacehub’s London Wall Place. We propose urban greening and planting interventions, blending with the existing themes from London Wall Place and the Barbican Estate. Multi-level landscape plantings offer natural beauty for pedestrians and occupants alike.
Folkestone Harbour Plan – Submitted
The Folkestone Harbour Plan, the final piece of the Folkestone Seafront Masterplan, has been submitted for planning approval by Spacehub in collaboration with architects A is For. Commissioned by Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Corporation, the plan enhances the landscape and public realm around three harbour plots. Folkestone’s unique setting features town to the north, sea to the east, beach to the south, and crescent plots to the west, drawing inspiration from nearby parks. Key elements include a northern amphitheatre, an eastern seafront park, a southern shingle garden with ‘dunescape’ planting, and an interior garden square with streets, lanes, and a private garden.
©Xaos
Streatham Vale – Approved
We are thrilled to be helping transform a big box retail store and car park into a vibrant mixed-use development with natural, liveable landscapes in Streatham. The client’s vision will provide essential housing for Lambeth, rejuvenate a brownfield site, boost the local economy, and create greener spaces. The ground level includes a 120-meter ecologically rich SuDS feature that connects spaces like a learn-to-ride cycle track, play islands, outdoor fitness areas, and social pods with seasonal planting. The multi-level landscape offers play and social amenities on roof terraces with biodiverse roofs. The project will add 103 trees, supporting Lambeth Council’s tree planting and the London Mayor’s tree canopy cover goals.
©Rock Hunter
Alton Estate – Submitted
In collaboration with LB Wandsworth Regeneration team, we are proud to have submitted for planning approval the first phase of the Early Improvements Plan for the Alton Estate.
The plan seeks to improve the existing play spaces at Downshire Field and Alton Activity Centre, and landscape enhancements across Downshire Field. These include creating new wildflower meadow areas, new pathways, and a new trim trail across Downshire Field. While the play space concepts have been developed to ensure fair and inclusive play is carefully considered, including dedicated accessible equipment and interaction where full access is not possible. A palette of natural materials will create seating, fencing, and playable features. Consideration for girls has been key to the play space arrangements with the provision of multiple exits/entries and a variety of equipment and social spaces.
This application marks a significant moment for the regeneration of the Estate with much more to come!
London Wall Place – Long Term Management
The aftercare of our projects is hugely important to us; Spacehub continues to oversee the management and maintenance of London Wall Place – which was completed almost 6 years ago – by carrying out a spring inspection. Spacehub works in close collaboration with Willerby Landscapes, who are carrying out the maintenance work. It was encouraging to see the site looking full of life – human and plant alike. The planting is well established, and the gardens continue to be hugely popular with local workers and residents as well as many visitors and tourists!
Out office
Climbing adventure in Aldgate – spring outing!
We kicked off our Friday fun day adventures this year by paying a visit to our local climbing centre, led by our resident experienced climber Ruby. In our work, we’ve been exploring how bouldering and climbing can be incorporated into playful public realm opportunities for all ages.
Ruby led us for a session talking through routes and techniques. Many of us for the first time started as novices but by the end of the hour had found our climbing boots.
Ruby and Henry tackled the dizzying heights of the most challenging routes while the newbies undertook slightly easier climbs but overcame their initial fears. The outing had a practical purpose exploring how bouldering and climbing can be incorporated into playful public opportunities for all ages.
We also used the afternoon as a chance to see the recently unveiled public realm at Haydon Gardens.
Spacehub gets down on the farm!
As a proud member of the Tower Hamlets community – with numerous projects in the borough – we are committed to working with local projects that benefit all. One way we can do this is through our Corporate Social Responsibility days. This month Ya, Ruby, Jack, and Henry ventured across to Spitalfields City Farm – to help for half a day. While there, they got up close with Bayleaf the donkey, Beatrix the Portland sheep, and Holmes the Kune Kune pig. The morning consisted of clearing out the donkey and goat pens and harvesting over 60 garlic bulbs. The day earned big smiles from our colleagues – only matched by the wonky-toothed grin of Derek the donkey.
Recruitment
We continue to seek creative and enthusiastic landscape architects at all levels to join our growing team of space-scapers.
If you or you know of someone looking for a new role, please do send your CV and examples of your work to [email protected]