New Town Landscape, Basildon, Essex
A robust and playful landscape strategy for the redevelopment of an Essex new town
Project Type:
Public realm/landscape strategy
Project Status:
Ongoing
Client: Basildon Estates Limited, Marson Property
Lead Architect:
Makower Architects
Landscape Architect: Campbell Cadey
Engineers: Whitby Wood
Planning consultants:
RPS
CGIs: Cityscape Digital
We designed a landscape strategy for the proposed redevelopment of a site that sits at the heart of Basildon town centre and is surrounded by two of the town’s main public spaces. Our work aims to reinvigorate the town centre, create a sense of place and identity, increase biodiversity and provide the potential for engagement within the public realm. The landscape strategy incorporates both the public realm and the residential amenity spaces located at the site.
CGI views of communal amenity spaces © Cityscape Digital
Proposed masterplan
The overall objectives of the landscape strategy are to:
· Provide greater identity to Basildon Town Centre
· Introduce a range of activities that increase occupation and activation of the public realm
· Provide a variety of valuable and multi-functional residential amenity spaces
· Increase biodiversity and sensory engagement through a rich planting palette
· Utilise a high-quality design approach that enhances the identity of the residential offer
Illustrative view of town centre
Proposed masterplan section
CGI views of public realm landscape strategy © Cityscape Digital
We carefully considered the site conditions and put together a series of symbiotic multi-generational and multi-functional spaces that enhance the town centre for both residents and visitors. Our designs use highly playable features such as water, green spaces and dynamic materials to reinvigorate the public realm for all ages.
Existing materiality of Basildon
Proposed masterplan section
Illustrative view of terrace
Our planting proposals create a series of multi-functional spaces that are designed in response to the site context and the proposed architecture. The proposals aim to enhance the town centre experience for both the residents and the public while taking into consideration a number of issues, such as the ecological value of the scheme and the need for low maintenance. The proposed planting across the scheme aims to improve biodiversity through the provision of permeable paving, the design of blue roofs, and the use of planting species that attract wildlife.
The result is a playful yet robust scheme that aims to reinvigorate the variety of spaces in the town centre.
Illustrative views
Basildon Town Centre illustrations by Andrew Cadey