Constructed above an inaccessible and neglected sunken garden, the scheme consists of a 350m2 deck structure designed to allow universal access and facilitate the retention of a number of existing mature trees. Balau hardwood was selected as the decking and bench cladding material to soften the environment and provide visual relief from the predominance of concrete within the campus. The introduction of this material was seen as a big step in breaking from the standard 600x600mm concrete paving slabs and 200x100mm concrete paviors used throughout the campus. The scheme also features:

– Large-scale installation of SafeGrip decking, finished with two strips of an anti-slip polyurethane/quartz sand mix along the full length of the boards – a particular requirement of this scheme due to leaf fall and shading cast by trees.

– Innovative use of seating as a series of overlapping light boxes that constantly change, as you move through the space.

– Utilisation of existing perimeter walls and newly constructed planter walls to support structural beams; thus limiting the number of pad foundations into ground and potential damage to existing trees. All existing trees were retained.

– SUDS, entire site is free draining to ground with no surface water drainage off site.