castle mill design development
welcome
environmental statement
An Environmental Statement (ES) will accompany the planning application.
A scoping exercise for this is now underway with Oxford City Council.
Thank you for attending this consultation event.
The documents submitted can be viewed on Oxford City Council’s website at:
http://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-applications reference 16/01605/CONSLT
We would like to hear your views prior to further work by the Design Team which has
been appointed by the University. These will then be taken into account by the team
in moving forward.
mitigation objectives
Please write down your thoughts on the feedback forms provided.
In order to meet the requirements of the Unilateral Undertaking, it is
necessary to address the following characteristics of the development.
Oxford City Council, at its West Area Planning Committee meeting in
February 2016, agreed the University’s Environmental Statement and
that Option 1 included in the Design Mitigation Strategy for Castle Mill
should be followed.
A Unilateral Undertaking has been agreed between the University of Oxford
and Oxford City Council which includes provision for two public consultation
events in order to seek views on the design development before a planning
application is submitted by the end of January 2017. This is the first such
event.
The Undertaking requires that the University produces a scheme based on
Option 1 and the following boards and drawings show how that option has
been taken forward in the work undertaken so far.
issue
bright white
colour
blank prominent
facades and
gable ends
glare and
light spill
large repetitive
gables
theme
COLOUR
TEXTURE
ILLUMINATION
SCALE
provision
aiding visual
integration
creating relief
and shadow
reducing glare from
roof and light spill
from study bedroom
windows
breaking up
repetitive shapes
Following this first Public Consultation, we will hold a second Public Consultation in autumn 2016 and submit a planning application by 31st January 2017.
castle mill design development
viewpoints
The design development utilises a series of views in the surrounding area from which the development is
variously visible.
It is important to consider the impact that the design proposals will have when viewed from long distance,
locally and from within the development itself.
For the purposes of design development and testing of ideas, five representative viewpoints A to E have been
selected, with the viewpoint positions identified on the location plan below and on the model on display.
A
B
C
D
E
View C: Walton Well Bridge
View A: Port Meadow (West side)
View B: Port Meadow (East side)
View D: William Lucy Way
View E: Thames Path
ATE LOCATION OF
ESS PITS
SELECTING AN APPROACH
materials and components
In order to help better integrate the development into the wider context, various materials and
GATEHOUSE 3
components are being considered.
RWP
RWP
S46
RETAINING WALL
ER RUN AND
CES ZONE
NETWORK RAIL
BELOW GROUND
URFACE WATER
OUL WATER
ATE LOCATION OF
D FROM SITE VISIT
Inv
58.400
S48
Inv
58.400
RWP
S44
RWP
GATEHOUSE 2
RWP
RWP
RWP
S55
Inv
58.400
RWP
BLOCK 7
RWP
RWP
Inv
58.400
S56
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
S45
S43
S41
S46
BLOCK 8
S49
RWP
Inv
58.400
S51
Inv
58.400
ENERGY
CENTRE
RWP
S44
RWP
RWP
S42
S53
RWP
Brick
BLOCK 8
Timber
S46
Green walls
Inv
58.400
Architectural
metalwork
Tree planting
RWP
ground
RWP
S50
RWP
KEY
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
S53
RWP
S56
RWP
RWP
S51
BLOCK 6
constraints
constraints
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
Half brick thick outer
KEY
continued
wall
from
ground
to
first
INDICATES APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF
INDICATES EXISTING FOUL WATER
DRAINAGE RUN
WATER ATTENUATION TANK
INDICATES APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF
MANHOLE POSITIONED FROM SITE VISIT
RWP
LAUNDRY
RWP
Half brick thick outer
continued
wall EXISTING
from ground
first
BUILDINGS,to
'FUSION'
Load limited on
based
on capacity of
lower wall
Perimeter
Perimeter Perimeter
facade
services
services services
B New external frame requiring
groundworks for new foundations (not
viable
onPerimeter
West
façades). Perimeter
EXISTING BUILDINGS,
BLOCKWORK/
PRECAST CONCRETE
LIFT SHAFTS/ STEEL
services
FRAMED STAIRCASES
S58
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
S52
G
RWP
services
C Existing render and insulation / or
duraclad removed to allow for heavier
materials to be fixed.
A
Stabilised and
EXISTING BUILDINGS, BLOCKWORK/
PRECAST CONCRETE LIFT SHAFTS/ STEEL
FRAMED STAIRCASES
DRAINAGE RUN
Allotment
fence
Allotment
fence
Edge of
stabilised ground
RWP
RWP
S46
S41
RWP
S44
RWP
GATEHOUSE 3
Inv
58.400
S48
Inv
58.400
RWP
A
RWP
RWP
A
RWP
RWP
A
S51
SUBSTATION
S56
RWP
RWP
BLOCK 7
BLOCK 8
S50
RWP
SWITCH
ROOM
BLOCK 6
RWP
RWP
G
S61
RWP
S45
S49
RWP
BLOCK 5
RWP
RWP
RWP
S53
S52
Perimeter
Raft slab. No
Perimeter
services
services
edge projection
for new support BadgerBadger
run run Badger run
RWP
Inv
58.400
RWP
S75
and
C CStabilised
C
treated ground
Stabilised and
treated ground
Possible
ground anchors
Allotment
fence
Badger runGATEHOUSE 1
retaining wall
Edge of
stabilised ground
RWP
Possible
Allotment
ground anchors
fence
Allotment
fence
Badger run
retaining wall Edge of
stabilised ground
RWP
Inv
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S82
RWP
RWP
C
BLOCK 2
RWP
Inv
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S85
S79
Inv
58.100
RWP
RWP
C
C
BLOCK 1
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
S60
RWP
S61
RWP
RWP
RWP
S63
Inv
58.170
S62
RWP
S66
S83
S71
RWP
RWP
S68
Inv
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S78
RWP
RWP
S74
S73
Inv
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S77
Inv
58.290
Raft slab. N
edge proje
for new sup
Stabilised a
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RWP
RWP
RWP
BLOCK 3
RWP
Load limite
facade bas
on capacity
lower wall
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wall wall
retaining
retaining wall
Edge of
Edge of Edge of
stabilised
ground
stabilised
ground
stabilised ground
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
Raft slab.
RaftNo
slab. NoRaft slab. No
edge edge
projection
projection
edge projection
for new
forsupport
new support
for new support
Stabilised
and and
Stabilised
Stabilised and
treated
ground
treated
ground
treated ground
Badger
run run Badger run
Badger
retaining
wall wall
retaining wall
retaining
RWP
B
lowerlower
wall wall lower wall
Load limited on
facade based
on capacity of
lower wall
Raft slab. No
Perimeter
Raft slab. No
Possible
Possible
Possible
services
edge ground
projection
edge projection
anchors
ground anchors
ground
anchors
Allotment
Allotment Allotment
for new support
fence fencefor new
fence support
S76
RWP
Half brick thick outer
Load limited
onHalf
Load limited
on brick
Load
limited on
thick outer
facadefacade
basedbased
facade based
wall from ground on
tocapacity
first
fromofground to first
of wall
on capacity
of capacity
on
Stabilised
and and
Stabilised and
Stabilised
treated
ground
treated ground
treated
ground
Inv
58.600
RWP
External insulated render External insulated render
RWP
RWP
removed and replaced
removed and replaced
S68
Inv
with new cladding system.
58.300 with new cladding system.
metalmetal
'Fusion'
'Fusion' metal
Weight = 40kg/m²'Fusion'
Weight
= 40kg/m² 'Fusion' me
wall and
wallfloor
and floor
wall and floor
'Fusion' metal systemsystem system
wall and flo
wall and floor
system
system
Load limited on
Load limited on
Raft slab.
Perimeter
Perimeter Perimeter
RaftNo
slab. NoRaft slab. No
facade
based
facade based
services
services services
edge edge
projection
edge projection
projection
on capacity
of support
for new
for new support
forsupport
new
on capacity of
lower wall
lower wall
RWP
BIN
STORE 2RWP
S47
Load limited
on Load
Load limited
on limited onHalf brick thick outer
facadefacade
basedbased
facade based wall from ground to first
on capacity
of on
on capacity
of capacity of
lowerlower
wall wall lower wall
Screen posts tied
back to existing
building
B
BLOCK 4
RWP
S62
RWP
S57
S58
RWP
S43
RWP
ENERGY
CENTRE
RWP
wall and floor
system
Half brick
outer
Half thick
brick
thick
Half outer
brick thick outer
Stabilised and
treated ground
RWP
RWP
LAUNDRY
S54
B
Inv
S67
58.400
RWP
RWP
Inv
58.170
RWP
wall from
to first
wall ground
from ground
wall
from
to first
ground to first
Stabilised and
treated ground
S65
Inv
58.500
RWP
S61
External insulated render
wall and floor
system
Half brick thick
outer wall from
ground to first
B
S72
Inv
58.500
RWP
BLOCK 4
ENERGY
CENTRE
External
insulated
renderrender
External
insulated
External
insulated RWP
render
removed
and
replaced
removed
and
replaced
removed
and
replaced
removed
and
replaced
S62
Inv
with new
cladding
system.
with
new
cladding
system.
with
new
cladding
system.
58.170
with
new
cladding
system.
Weight
= 40kg/m²
Weight
= 40kg/m²
Weight = 40kg/m²
'Fusion'
metalmetal
'Fusion' metal Weight = 40kg/m²
'Fusion'
wallmetal
and
wall and floor
wallfloor
and floor
'Fusion'
'Fusion' metal
system
system
system
RWP
G
RWP
External screen to
support planting
S70
RWP
RWP
S60
C
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
S42
B B
RWP
S55
Inv
58.400
RWP
Inv
58
S60
RWP
Edge of
stabilised ground
Inv
S67
58.400
RWP
BLOCK 5
Possible
Allotment
Allotment
Allotment
ground anchors
fence
fence
fence
Badger run
Badger run
Badger run
retaining
wallscreen onto retaining
All load from
All loadwall
from screen onto All load from screen
ontowall
BIN
retaining
STORE 1
small
pads
onto
treated
small
pads
onto
treated
Edge
of
Edge
of
small pads onto treated
Edge of
stabilised
ground
stabilised
ground
LAUNDRY
stabilised
ground
stabilised ground
stabilised ground
GATEHOUSE 2
stabilised ground
Badger run
retaining wall
RWP
S63
small small
pads onto
pads treated
onto
smalltreated
pads onto treated Edge of
Edge of Edge of
stabilised
ground
stabilised
ground
stabilised ground
stabilised
ground
stabilised ground
stabilised
ground
Stabilised and
treated ground
treated ground
Allotment
fence
BIN
STORE 2RWP
RWP
External
screen
to
External
screenscreen
toExternal
External
to screen to
S63
support
planting
support
planting
support planting
support
planting
Edge of
Edge of Edge of
stabilised
ground
stabilised
ground
stabilised ground
A A
RWP
RWP
RWP
S58
lower wall
Screen supports
lower wall
climbing planting
climbing planting
climbing planting
or possibly lightor
possibly
lightor possibly lightStabilised
Stabilised and
Stabilised
and and
weight
panels
weight
panels
treated
ground
treated
ground
treated
ground
weight panels
Raft slab. No
Raft slab. No
Allotment
Allotment
Allotment
edge projection
edge projection
fence fence
fence
for new support
Perimeter
Perimeter
Perimeter
Badger
Badger
run run Badger runfor new support
services
retaining
retaining
wall All load
retaining
wall wall
services
ontofrom
Allfrom
load screen
from
Allscreen
load
ontoscreen
onto
services
Raft slab. No
Perimeter
edge projection
servicesAllotment
Allotment Allotment
for new support
fence fence
fence
S57
RWP
back to
existing
back to existing
back
to existing
Load limited
on Load
Load limited
on limited
on
building
building building
facadefacade
basedbased
facade based
on capacity
of on
on capacity
of capacity
of posts tied
Screen posts tied
Screen
ScreenScreen
supports
Screen supports
supports
lowerlower
wall wall lower wall
back to existing
back
to
existing
climbing
planting
climbing planting
climbing
planting
or
possibly
lightor
possibly lightor
possibly
lightbuilding
Load limited on
building
Loadpanels
limited
onpanels
weight
panels
RaftNo
slab. NoRaft slab.weight
No weight
Raft slab.
facade based
facade based
projection
edge projection
edge edge
projection
forsupport
new support
for new Perimeter
support
for of
new
on capacity
Perimeter
onPerimeter
capacity
of
services
services
services
Screen supports
Screen
supports
Half brick thick outer
wall from ground to first
FRAMED STAIRCASES
S52
RWP
BIN impression of window proportion
Altering the
STORE
2 5
BLOCK
improves
the proportions
of the façadesENERGY
whilst
reducing the area of rendered wall.
CENTRE
S57
B
RWP
RWP
S66
RWP
Inv
58.300
RWP
wall and
wallfloor
and floor
wall andHalf
floor
'Fusion' metal
brick
Half thick
brickmetal
thick
Half brick thick
'Fusion'
system
system
system outer outer
wall from
wall from
outer wall from
wall thick
and floor
Half brick
Half
brick
thick
wall
ground
ground
toand
first
tofloor
first
ground to first
outersystem
wall from
outer
wall from
system
Screen
tied
Screen
Screen
tied posts tied
ground to first
groundposts
to posts
first
wall from
to first
wall ground
from ground
wall
from
to first
ground to first
RWP
RWP
S68
S63
'Fusion'
metalmetal
'Fusion'
'Fusion' metal
'Fusion' metal
wall and floor
system
Half brick
Half thick
brick outer
thick
Half
outer
brick thick outer
KEY continued
EXISTING BUILDINGS, 'FUSION'
CONSTRUCTION
INDICATES BELOW GROUND STORM
WATER ATTENUATION TANK
External screen to
support planting
RWP
G
BIN
STORE 2RWP
S52
LAUNDRY
Load limited
tolimited
6kg/m²
Load limited
Load
to 6kg/m²
Load
to 6kg/m²
limited
to 6kg/m²
S53
over
full
facade
over
full
facade
over
full
facade
over full facade
BLOCK 5
RWP
S58
S53
RWP
RWP
Load limited to 6kg/m²
over full facade
RWP
S57
SWITCH
ROOM
RWP
RWP
RWP
G
RWP
G
S75
G RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
A
lightweight
over
A Very
EXISTING
SERVICE ACCESS PITScladding fixed CONSTRUCTION
EXISTING BUILDINGS, BLOCKWORK/
existing
façades.
INDICATES BELOW
GROUND STORM
PRECAST CONCRETE LIFT SHAFTS/ STEEL
KEY continued
KEY continued
INDICATES
APPROXIMATE
LOCATION
OF
EXISTING BUILDINGS, 'FUSION'
approximate location of existing service
EXISTING
SERVICE
ACCESS
PITS
CONSTRUCTION
access pits
Plan showing ground constraints
S56
Horizontal bands through the
BLOCK 6
floor plates was used to good effect on Phase 1.
SUBIt breaks upSTATION
the primarily vertical façade design
with the introduction of horizontality. LAUNDRY
RWP
4
RWP
RWP
SWITCH
expression
of the
ROOM
RWP
S54
Due to the construction of the buildings,
the design tolerance for additional loading
on the facades is extremely limited. There
are three structural solutions:
INDICATES
ASSUMED
DRAINAGE
assumed
drainage
runRUN
attenuation tank
existing buildings, ‘fusion’ construction
RWP
Load limited to 6kg/m²
over full facade
INDICATES EXTENT OF NETWORK RAIL
network
railAND
retaining
wall and below
RETAINING
WALL
BELOW GROUND
INDICATES ASSUMED DRAINAGE RUN
ground
services zone
SERVICES
ZONE
KEY continued
KEY continued
INDICATES EXISTING SURFACE WATER
INDICATES APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF
existing surface water drainage run
DRAINAGE RUN
EXISTING SERVICE ACCESS PITS
INDICATES BELOW GROUND STORM
below
ground storm
WATER
ATTENUATION
TANK water
RWP
RWP
RWP
S54
RWP
S49
S47
EXISTING
BUILDINGS,
BLOCKWORK/
existing
buildings,
blockwork/ precast
PRECAST CONCRETE LIFT SHAFTS/ STEEL
concrete lift shafts/ steel framed staircases
FRAMED STAIRCASES
KEY continued
INDICATES EXISTING SURFACE WATER
badgerEXTENT
run OF BADGER RUN
INDICATES
DRAINAGE RUN
INDICATES APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF
approximate
location
of manhole
MANHOLE
POSITIONED
FROM SITE
VISIT
proposals
RWP
RWP
S62
Inv
58.170
G
RWP
SWITCH
ROOM
RWP
RWPS54
S47
RWP
S45
construction
run
S50
design
techniques
RWP
A large percentage of the ground area of the site
contains underground services, putting significant
constraints on the areas available for additional
foundations or planting. See plan and key below.
INDICATES EXISTING FOUL WATER
existing
foul water drainage
DRAINAGE
RUN
RWP
S49
SUBS56
STATION
BLOCK
RWP
BLOCK 6
SUBSTATION
RWP
RWP
RWP
S43
run and
S61S51
RWP
S49
RWP
BLOCK 7
BLOCK 8
INDICATES
EXTENT
WALL
retaining
wallOFtoRETAINING
allotment/
badger
TObelow
ALLOTMENT/BADGER
RUN
AND
ground services zone
BELOW GROUND SERVICES ZONE
S63
RWP
S55
Inv
58.400
RWP
Inv
58.400
S60
RWP
RWP
RWP
S43
KEY
S52
RWP
RWP
S55
RWP
RWP
S48
Inv
58.400
RWP
S45
KEY continued
EXISTING BUILDINGS, 'FUSION'
existing buildings, ‘fusion’
CONSTRUCTION
BIN
STORE 2RWP
S47
S44
S42
RWP
BLOCK
7 materials
GATEHOUSE
3
RWP
S43
RWP
S50
S58
RWP
S45
RWP
S57
S48
Inv
58.400
RWP
S47
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
BLOCK 5
RWP
GATEHOUSE
BLOCK
7 3
LAUNDRY
S54
RWP
RWP
RWP
RWP
Inv
S67
58.400
RWP
S55
RWP
RWP
S65
Inv
58.500
Darker gable
tops3 reduce the perception of height, number of storeys and the dominance of the gables
GATEHOUSE
RWP
S48
Inv
58.400
RWP
RWP
G
RWP
RWP
RWP
G
RWP
SWITCH
ROOM
BLOCK 6
S44
RWP
RWP
SUBSTATION
RWP
S46
S50
RWP
S51
RWP
S41
OUND STORM
TANK
BADGER RUN
design techniques
S84
Badger run
retaining w
Edge of
stabilised gr
summary of constraints, materials and techniques
When considering the structural constraints, materials and components and the proposed design techniques, the following design strategies have been proposed.
Surface
Fix
Where construction finish is render, lightweight surface fixed elevational treatments
should be limited to timber louvre cladding, architectural metalwork and painted
render, to create colour, texture and shadow.
Replace
Where construction finish is ‘Duraclad’ imitation timber or ‘Alucabond’ panels we consider this needs to be
replaced for architectural reasons and thus allowing for heavier replacement elevational treatments such as
brick slips.
On balance we do not consider it necessary to strip off the render and insulation in order to apply heavier
elevational treatments. For reasons of architectural benefit as well as buildability, sustainability and
affordability.
proposed base treatment
Shiny or bright materials need to be replaced with
something more textured or of darker colour. The
‘Alucabond’ lift cladding and ‘Duraclad’ imitation timber
cannot be painted or overclad, so the replacement of
this cladding with brick slips is proposed to be taken
forward as a base treatment from which other material
treatments are tested in addition. The brick slips would
be dark grey to match the existing.
Planting
Planting is best achieved through the use of planted containers on the Western
side, due to the ground constraints and space constraints identified.
Frame
Due to concrete/ blockwork construction and more space for frame footings on the Eastern side, textured
surface treatments such as green façades and green walls can be considered on stair cores and gatehouses.
Although a free-standing trellis could be constructed with footings in the badger run, structurally it can only
sit away from the building, and the impact on amenity of residents through loss of view and light would be
significant. On balance it is not considered feasible.
Please be aware that the
colours you are seeing
will not be accurate due to
variations in screen settings.
colour treatment
re-rendering or painting facades
Colour proposals should be contextual, referencing the local environment and materials.
The following images test how a range of tones and colours might help to visually integrate the development.
01. buff - light tone
04. grey - light tone
02. buff - medium tone
05. grey - medium tone
03. buff - dark tone
06. grey - dark tone
this is a colour test,
not a ‘paint-only’
proposal!
Please be aware that the
colours you are seeing
will not be accurate due to
variations in screen settings.
colour treatment
re-rendering or painting facades
Colour proposals should be contextual, referencing the local environment and materials.
The following images test how a range of tones and colours might help to visually integrate the development.
07. brick red - light tone
10. varied colours and tones
08. brick red - medium tone
11. varied colours and tones
09. brick red - dark tone
12. varied colours and tones
this is a colour test,
not a ‘paint-only’
proposal!
roof treatment and illumination
reducing glare from roof
Visualisations of the roof:
The existing roof finish is a profiled metal
roof, with a 30% gloss basalt grey paint
finish.
Existing
The lowest gloss / most matt finish
available on a roof of this nature is 10%
gloss.
Lightweight aluminium
fins in a random
pattern could help
prevent reflection.
It is possible that the issue is magnified
when the roofs are wet, the sun is in the
west and there are dark skies behind
the buildings. In this case changing the
paint finish will not significantly resolve
the problem. Therefore, we may consider
fixing a material physically to the roof to
prevent reflection.
top: Castle Mill viewed from Port Meadow in sunlight after rainfall
bottom: glare from natural slate roof becoming apparent in sunlight after rainfall
Timber slats in a more
ordered arrangement
could also help
prevent reflection.
reducing light spill from windows at night
bicycle
store
corridor end
windows
bicycle
store
communal
stairwells
bicycle
store
Light spill occurs from three different areas:
- external light spill from bike sheds, bin stores, pathway lighting etc
- communal areas, corridors and stairwells
- study bedroom windows and flats
Automated blinds have been added to some communal areas and
it is intended to complete this. External lighting will be redesigned
to reduce light spill and be controlled by PIR’s. Study bedrooms are
less controllable but produce less light spill. External treatments will
help to diffuse some of the spill, coupled with better management
procedures.
above and above right: The development viewed from Port Meadow with problem light spill areas highlighted
West Elevation
East Elevation
Visualisation of the same view where windows in circulation areas are
fitted with automatic blinds and external lights are fitted with PIR sensors
and hoods
Automatic blinds existing
Manually operated blinds existing (study bedrooms and communal kitchens)
Glazing requiring screening (stairwells)
Solar films of varying tint could be applied
to windows to reduce light spill externally.
elevational treatment: gables
reducing impression of height by darkening the top of gable end
Darker gable tops reduce the perception the dominance of the gables
gables: painted
Top of gable ends finished in a darker
colour to help break up the scale of
the West facades.
gables: slatted
Slats applied to gable, darkening the
top of gables by creating texture and
shadow
for the purposes of
these tests we are using
the mid tone buff as a
base colour
elevational treatment: texture and shadow
testing texture and shadow through relief for visual integration
projecting window surrounds
and floor-plates
• Altering the impression of window proportion
improves the proportions of the façades.
• Adding projecting window surrounds casts
shadows and adds texture.
• Highlighting horizontal bands over structural
floor plates breaks up the vertical emphasis.
rials
Pros
• Method provides ‘instant effect’
• Can be used to cover blank elevations
• Does not necessarily require space at ground level, compared
to tree planting or climbers
green walls
Cons
• Weight of attaching system to buildings
• Area required for associated plant & irrigation system
• Maintenance requirements & related access
Green
walls provide
natural
Constraints,
materials and
designtexture
techniques
Green façades
& Green walls
and
visual
relief.
Westminster City School, London
Green Façades
Tensioned stainless steel rope & rod / or ‘Webnet’ netting systems
• Lift shaft: concrete construction
allows use of this system
• Climbers planted in raised
planters
Tensioned stainless steel rope & rod green
façade
‘Webnet’ netting green façade
Green Walls
Modular hydroponic system attached to self supporting structure & tied back to building
MTV Studios, Camden
• Green walls used on
selected east facing
elevations where building
form & structure allows
• Location allows easy access
for maintenance
• System provides ‘instant
effect’
• Avoids ground-level planters
Modular green wall panels fitted to an
existing building
for the purposes of
these tests we are using
the mid tone buff as a
base colour
elevational treatment: texture and shadow
testing texture and shadow through relief for visual integration
TIMBER SLATS
Timber slats provide shadow and
visual interest.
shutters/ louvres
Timber shutters for windows provide
relief and shadow to add texture and
visual interest.
for the purposes of
these tests we are using
the mid tone buff as a
base colour
landscape proposals
integrating the development into its surroundings
tree planting
Indicative arrangement of tree planting
and raised planters within the site, along
the western boundary and over the
badger run
• The use of tree planting contributes to the concealment and integration of the
development, particularly in views from Port Meadow
• Spacing and positioning of trees enhances the layering and visual depth of
the green urban edge
• Use of shrub under-planting will also enhance boundary appearance in local
views
• Proposed semi-mature trees provide substantial immediate effect
• A variety of deciduous and evergreen trees shall be used to provide diversity
and amenity
• Trees contribute to the improvement of the development’s microclimate and
external spaces
site-wide tree planting
badger run tree planting
• Proposed specification
to be 40-50cm girth &
6-7.5m height
Tree planting in container within self-supporting
rigid frame on pads
• Fastigiate / columnar
form to respond to
spatial constraints
• Planted in containers
or raised planters to
avoid excavation into
contaminated land
and below-ground
structures and utilities
• No excavation
Proposed tree
Approx. 6-7.5m high
indicative trees
Semi-mature tree:
40-50cm girth /
6-7.5m high
Container
within frame
• Steel frame structure tied to retaining wall
• Maximum control over growing medium,
irrigation and nutrient uptake for planted trees
• Maximum tree canopy effect achieved
Raised planter
Approx. 1m high
indicative materials
Proposed 6-7.5m
high tree
• Existing badger run retained, and kept fully
secure from any access into allotments
Free-standing
metal frame
Timber battens
Existing 1.2m
boundary fence
Existing
1.8m fence
Existing
Allotments
Location of existing
sub-surface power cable
adjacent to fence
Badger
cut & cover
Stabilised
cut-off trench
Aluminium
Furnace House,
Jericho, Oxford
Corten steel
Acer campestre
‘William Caldwell’
Field Maple cultivar
consultation feedback
your feedback and opinions are an important part of this design process. please ensure you fill out a feedback form.
our current thinking is as follows:
tone
• Dark tones successfully integrate at a distance, but can be oppressive in
closer views
• Although light tones work well in closer views, they are too visible in
longer views
• Mid tones provide a balance, and integrate best in both long and local
views
elevational treatments
The following treatments work well:
• Dark gable tops
• Altered window proportions
• Projecting surrounds and horizontal bands
• Shutters on west facing gables
• Green walls
colour
• Grey range can appear dull and foreboding
• Red brick range can appear too bright in strong sunlight
• Buff range integrates effectively into the local and wider context
roof glare and reflectivity
Studies are on-going to analyse the causes of glare and reflectivity
illumination
tree planting
Preventing light spill from internal communal areas and external areas will
significantly reduce problems of illumination at night.
• Tree planting will be very effective in screening parts of the development,
and in wider integration
• Trees will strengthen screening in Summer and Winter, particularly when
other trees outside University control are pollarded
• Planting will help reduce light spill from some study bedroom windows
this is illustrated on the following photo montage boards…