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Complete Buildings, External Envelope, Structural Fittings, Building Products & Materials
| Sector |
Housing, social |
| Project type |
Refurbishment |
| Services provided |
Product / system manufacture |
| Year completed |
2017 |
| Project location |
East of England |
| Contractor |
Thistlefield Plants and Design |
| Products used |
Harrowden Turf, Enviromat Sedum Matting |
Too many urban front gardens are being paved over and used as parking spaces. This potentially has a negative impact upon urban drainage, the urban heat island effect, biodiversity, wildlife habitat and our own wellbeing. Garden Designer Paul Welford from Norfolk suggest some solutions in his gold award-winning show garden for the Sandringham Garden Show.
Paul designed a terrace of three gardens, each simulating a typical urban front garden. Each design offers a compromise between planting and car parking.
In the first design, a car port with a sedum green roof effectively lifts the planting above the parking area. The building is designed to allow maximum light into the house and offer a beautiful view from an upstairs window. Green roofs absorb up to 80% of the rainwater that falls upon them. They also provide wildlife habitat and help to impove air quality.
Garden 2 includes a turntable for a small car. This means reduces the amount of hard standing needed for the vehicle and negates the need to reverse on to a busy road. The innovative idea leaves plenty of room for a turfed lawn (very good for natural drainage) and some colourful planting.
The third garden accommodates an oval-shaped path - ideal for turning a motorbike around (motorbikes don't have reverse gears). Again, the accompanying parking offers lots of kerb appeal and would quite possibly increase the value of the property.
The show garden won a gold medal at the show and judges commented on the innovative yet attractive design. These gardens are practical and affordable and could potentially improve wellbeing by offering a beautiful welcome home from a hard days work.
