Brasted CloseA Flexible Cross Generational Space


Kinnear Landscape Architects have been commissioned by CLT to design the new public space that relates to the proposed affordable homes.

Brasted Close has a strong network of large trees which dominate its landscape. These trees pre-date the estate and are part of a strong wooded network in Sydenham which along with its hilly topography, defines the character of the area.

Sydenham was part of the Great North wood which was predominantly a sessile oak and hornbeam forest located on the south London clays and gravels of the Norwood Ridge. A Great North Wood Heritage Lottery project is currently being run by LWT and this project will enhance the woodland and its community links. Five flagship species will be monitored: oak, hornbeam, purple hairstreak butterfly, stag beetle and woodpeckers.

The network of trees on site are both forest trees such as Oak and Ash and a planted under storey of flowering trees such as cherries and crataegus. Our proposal will use two themes to structure its design around, the elements of a home and woodland.

There are many slot views between buildings and most of these views are dominated by the green horizons of tree canopies. Views into the site are also dominated by trees with the buildings having a quiet presence within the overall green mantle.

The new square gives us the opportunity to create a social gathering point for the residents that follows on from the larger square adjacent in Brasted Close. The idea of a ‘Carpet’ will establish a heart to the square that also signals homely values. This heart should be an ambiguous cross generational space that will allow people to use it in a variety of ways, such as BBQs, Bike Mending, Gardening and Casual Play.

The area’s strong wooded quality will be replicated in our proposal as well. Woodland edge planting will be used in the peripheries and a large specimen tree, planted in the square, will continue the sequence of remnant forest trees so clearly visible in the close.

2017–2018
Sydenham, London

Client

London CLT

Architect

Archio



Brasted Close
Kinnear Landscape Architects have been commissioned by CLT to design the new public space that relates to the proposed affordable homes.
Kinnear Landscape Architects
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