Review of B|D Landscape Architects

Review of B|D Landscape Architects

As part of the AD6603 Cultural Context module, we've been assigned to write weekly blog posts reviewing landscape architecture practices to aid us in thinking about our future after we graduate this year, and what sort of company we might want to aspire to work for. For this week, I decided to look close to Cheltenham for inspiration, with B|D Landscape Architects in Tewkesbury. 


Project: Glassfields, Bristol

Client: Royal London
Architects: AWW
Status: Completed in 2021

Described as a 'meanwhile' park, this design located within walking distance to the train station of Bristol Temple Meads, introduces nature back into the city, which was once a brownfield site, with swathes of wildflowers and ornamental planting that attracts visitors and wildlife. What is a 'meanwhile' space? As defined by Tower Hamlets Council, "a space that is 'meanwhile' encourages temporary activity in vacant or under-used open spaces, or land." 'Glassfields' therefore represents this purpose as it is planned to only exist for a minimum of three years in order to offset the environmental impact of a nearby development - this is an interesting challenge for landscape architects as we must consider the duration of a design, which in this case is relatively short, so offers a different set of possibilities for an urban space, particularly with the planting and the understanding of the evolution of what the space may become in the future.

Some of my favourite features of this design include the bespoke Corten steel benches that curve away to form a central meeting space which were designed in collaboration with a local artist and reflect the hand-painted mural. I am a sucker for a bit of street art especially when local artists are involved because I feel it truly makes a space individual and unique. The combination of seating, void, planting and play interactivity is balanced well and makes the space multi-functional which suits the urban area where a large of variety of users will interact with the space at all times of day/year. I do wonder how the planting looks in the winter as the wildflowers, although spectacular in the height of summer like shown in the photos, does the planting have such a dramatic effect in the colder/darker months.  












Practice: B|D Landscape Architects




Address: Sun St, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX

Website: https://bdlandarch.com/


Would I want to work for them?

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