LANDSCAPING SERVICES
NEW OUTDOOR SOCIAL SPACE FOR PRESTON SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
Land Studio founder and director Simon Richards said : “ The coronavirus pandemic has shown how vital it is that students have safe spaces outside during their busy academic day .
“ We are working with a growing number of schools , sixth form colleges and universities across the country to help them to create rich , vibrant and immersive spaces outside . These are spaces which work whatever the weather because Covid-19 is not going away anytime soon .”
Cardinal Newman College , a successful Catholic Sixth Form College in the heart of Preston , has unveiled a new outdoor space for their students .
In response to Covid-19 , the College wanted to create a new outdoor covered social space for their students with benches and planting which could be used in all weather .
With the additional pressure on circulation space due to the pandemic , the external spaces needed to be more efficiently designed to accommodate small and medium groups of students throughout the year .
Land Studio , a specialist landscape architecture , design and masterplanning practice in Chester , worked on the project with Flinders Chase , a civil engineering company based in Liverpool , to design the complex terrace improvement scheme .
With underground services plus the roots of protected lime trees to avoid , a specialist screw pile foundation solution to avoid pouring metres of concrete - and 4,000 students to navigate - the design includes reconstituted decking under a permanent canopy structure with steel seats . The scheme was brought together within four months from design concept to completion .
Principal of Cardinal Newman , Nick Burnham , said : “ The outdoor seating has proved very popular so far with students using it straight away , especially the large covered area , as it provides great shelter whilst the weather has been so unpredictable .
“ It offers students a great alternative to the indoor social areas , particularly under the current circumstances , as it allows students to spend time on campus between their lessons in a safe and socially distanced way .
“ We look forward to the warmer months , when I am sure we will get even more use out of the seating . The seating fits well into the surroundings , compliments our grounds and gives us even more opportunity to enjoy the beautiful campus .”
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