Ningbo is a booming industrial city in China, situated on the coast south of Shanghai. Ningbo has an ancient history as a silk road port and has the best deep water harbour in China. The international airport is an important gateway and the city launched an international landscape design competition to improve the airport environment.
It was our Concept of a 'Silk Ribbon' which won the judges votes - a striking three dimensional, spectacularly colourful, and horticulturally technical interpretation of the city's name (The Peaceful Wave). We are proud to be able to use cutting edge horticultural technology to provide the city with a much needed and memorable gateway. The £3M scheme will incorporate large green walls, sculptural scrolls and clipped hedges along the airport approach road.
Weddles are now appointed to develop the design to a schematic stage. The project is programmed for completion in 2012.
Mike and Lu will soon depart for Ningbo in China to present our concept proposals for Ningbo International airport. The airport landscape will undergo a complete overhaul, bringing it both up to date with other international airports and providing a gateway for the city.
Ningbo Airport, Ningbo, China
We have submitted our concept design for Lake View high specification residential estate with a series of European gardens and squares. The design uses ribbons of blue, green and brown, symbolising water, landscape and culture.
Lake View Development, Zhenjiang
Weddles are delighted that Sheffield's "Golden Route" has been announced as a finalist for the UK Landscape of the Year Award. Our project the Sheffield Winter Garden forms a highlight along this route. This is the first-ever UK Landscape Awards, the winner will represent the UK in the European Landscape Award which takes place in Strasbourg in March 2011. Natural Environment Minister, Richard Benyon says This award celebrates the best landscapes in the UK and I would like to congratulate all the finalists. UK Landscape Award.
Sheffield Winter Garden
Weddles are carrying out detailed design for residential developments in Zibo and Hangzhou.
Lafite Development, Zibo & Hangzhou Development
We've been invited to suggest ideas for an under utilised area of the garden at Chatsworth House, and hope to be able to progress this in the next couple of years. Chatsworth House Trust invited us to submit a response to their detailed brief for a under-utilised part of the garden. Their challenge was to create a design concept which is exciting, interesting and practical. Mike Browell was shown the forgotten quarter of the garden by Ian Webster Curator of
Chatsworth Estate Trust, Derbyshire
Weddles have just completed the landscape master plan for a succession of projects for Durham University working with architects GSS. Existing buildings are being remodeled and extended to create two enclosed courtyards. Landscape has been designed to create visually distinct characters for each courtyard. Beyond the building an ecological demonstration area links areas of wetland, meadow and native planting to enhance the sites contribution to biodiversity.
Durham University, Durham Business School
In order to assist potential clients we have undergone the rigorous process of registering with Constructionline.
Constructionline aims to provide potential buyers with a verification of a suppliers references, allowing buyers to quickly bypass tediuos pre-qualification.
We are about to submit our completed concept report for the Lafite Development, Zibo. The site is a Landmark Landscape inlcuding residential, commercial buildings and a 5* Hotel in the city of Zibo. Our concept provides a quality landscape, including the essense of western culture and classical european garden design while also respecting ecology and green links to adjacent sites.
Lafite Development, Zibo, Landscape Masterplan
Mike Browell visited the District Council of Shan in Shandong Province, China, to advise on a major Wetland Conservation project. He was invited by the Directors of Planning and Development, who have appointed Shandong Province Architects to provide planning advice.
Mike made a presentation to Planning Bureau staff, explaining the approach to wetland conservation in Britain, and then went on to make suggestions for their Fugang Lakes project. His overview was that it is an excellent environmental project with the potential to deliver a world class tourist destination.
Protection of wetland habitats is an increasingly important international priority, and many countries are developing similar conservation projects. Ecotourism is well established in many countries but only just starting in China. It has the potential to attract considerable investment and to receive income from millions of international ecotourists, as well as a growing number of tourists from inside China.
Mike's vision was of a well designed Tourist Destination, similar to Centre Parcs in Britain. This might include an Eco-Hotel and Eco-village with low density buildings within a green setting, and a modified lake edge to create new and varied habitat for birdlife. He recommended preparing a Planning Brief to help control development.
Fugang Development
The District Council took Mike to see the first buildings on the Lake project and invited his comments. He was critical of the scale and massing of the buildings, and thought that an opportunity to design with nature had been missed. His advice was welcomed and his views were shared by the Director of Planning.
Mike was then shown a historic urban area with ancient archways and some traditional courtyard buildings. The Planning Bureau asked for his advice on creating a new urban plaza, Heroes Square, linking a Mao period Communist Party Headquarters with the historic streetscape. Mike recommended linking the new square with a pedestrian 'Historic Quarter' with restored buildings, traditional paving materials and some new buildings in a traditional style.
The Avery Hill Winter Garden, first built in 1890 by Colonel John Thomas North, is at the heart of Greenwich University. We acted as technical advisor to the university. The first phase concentrated on Chilean plants; Colonel North was known as the Chilean Nitrate King in recognition of his export of nitrates for fertiliser from Chile back to England. This will be available for viewing from 16 August.
The three-domed Winter Garden of Mansion House was created when Colonel North wanted his family to enjoy exercise in inclement weather. After his death, London County Council bought the building and turned it into an educational establishment, ultimately becoming part of University of Greenwich. The building suffered wartime bomb damage and the heating system struggled to provide tropical heat for the exotic plants in an increasingly leaky old building. The Winter Gardens were opened to the public in 1962, but parts had to be closed when the building became unsafe. The rising costs of maintenance, particularly heating, have escalated.
The first phase of planting has been carried out by Tendercare to our design. Weddles are very proud to have helped restore this beautiful Victorian glasshouse to its former glory. The University aims to complete the next two phases in time for the London 2012 Olympics.
Phase 1 Restoration and Chilean Planting
We have just completed a concept design report for this exciting commercial and residential project in the heart of Shanghai. now completed our concept design report for a major residential apartment complex in Hangzhou, China.
Mist Garden Perspective
April 2010
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November 2009
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April 2009
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