PLANNING WITH PAVING
The trade association Interpave
invites landscape designers to take a
fresh look at precast concrete paving
to enliven the external spaces between
buildings, while meeting durability
and sustainability requirements –
demonstrated by exemplary projects
taken from its resource website
www.paving.org.uk.
Precast concrete paving continues a
long tradition of modular elements laid
to create a hard surface. But unlike
extracted materials such as stone or
clay, precast concrete block, flag, kerb
and related paving products are fully
engineered and manufactured under shapes and sizes available enables paving are available at an economic
modern, controlled conditions. This designers to select paving styles, cost – in both initial and whole life
ensures accurate product and joint whether traditional or contemporary, terms.
size, colour and texture, slip/skid enhancing environments from historic resistance and other performance areas to vibrant new city spaces. Meeting SuDS Requirements
Sustainable Paving And concrete block permeable paving
performance over the longer term. Precast concrete paving from multifunctional SuDS technique. Of
Interpave manufacturers is course, paving is always needed on
Design Freedom demonstrably sustainable in developments – whether for roads,
every sense. As well as low parking, shared spaces or play. But
Precast concrete paving from environmental impact, products permeable paving also provides an
Interpave manufacturer members are locally manufactured, making inherent drainage system that requires
is uniquely placed to satisfy today’s a vital contribution to the economy no additional land take for water
technical demands while offering and community. Local material storage, treatment or conveyance.
real design freedom. Here, distinct, sourcing and product supply is also This technology eliminates pipework,
modular units and designed variations a key element and equivalent paving gulleys and manholes, and generally
in colour, texture and shape can products shipped into the country bear costs less than conventional drainage
break up areas giving visual interest a substantial CO2 emission load. and paving.
The ongoing availability of a complete For more information, visit Interpave’s
range of products and accessories new website - www.paving.org.uk - an
in a single, predictable material is essential resource covering all aspects
also essential over the long-term. As of design with precast concrete
characteristics. So, precast concrete
paving offers a unique predictability
with consistent, trouble-free
and a human scale not possible with
formless materials such as asphalt.
Pigment technology today allows a
much wider choice of colours, ranging
from vibrant to muted tones, as well
is uniquely placed as an essential,
substantial organisations, Interpave products, including permeable paving
emulate other materials. manufacturers working within for SuDS. It features an inspirational
the UK’s framework of established project gallery and case studies,
Surface treatments can also be applied standards and regulation easily supported by background information
to paving blocks, flags and kerbs to achieve this aim. Precast concrete for early design stages, as well as
give different textures, some exposing paving can be simply reinstated for CPD. A comprehensive series of
the inherent aggregates. Surfaces can following excavation works, technical documents covering all types
be honed for a flat finish or polished, for example to access services, of precast concrete paving products
or shot blasted to look weathered, leaving minimal evidence with any provide the definitive source of
or tumbled for a more rugged, replacement product readily available. guidance for specifiers and contractors
naturalistic appearance. Combining It is also worth remembering that – including detailing, construction and
these attributes with the range of all these benefits of precast concrete maintenance.
as varied mixes of colours that can
76
Landscape & Urban Design Issue 37 2019