Hard Landscaping Construction (Non-Domestic) Under £300,000

A scheme which is overwhelmingly hard landscape construction e.g. paved surfaces, in both cost and extent (may include small soft elements) with a total construction cost including materials to fit within the following: 

BLAKEDOWN LANDSCAPES - PRINCIPAL AWard WINNER 2018

THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL

The Royal Ballet School at White Lodge, to the north east of Richmond Park, is a Grade I Listed building located in a conservation area. It has a distinctive character that is sensitive to change. The main entrance to the school, reached through a sliding gate from Richmond Park, is used for car parking and deliveries.

The changes to this area needed to reflect the historic building and the surrounding landscape, as advised by English Heritage, and both the layout and materials chosen had to be sympathetic to the setting.

The works undertaken by the contractor included creating an interface between the building and the tarmacadam area, using low planting to help resolve drainage issues; the creation of a new parking area screened from view by hedging; and the opening up of views of the building and framing it with new planting.

Challenges included ‘no dig’ construction under existing mature trees. The new scheme integrates beautifully with its local surroundings.