BALI Award 2007
for mainly soft landscaping over 1ha

The initial phase of this new business park in Sunderland consists of five new office buildings arranged around a central courtyard. The landscape proposals are inspired by the local wetland setting, Joe's Pond, a deep freshwater pond that is part of nearby Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve.

The main feature of the central courtyard is a natural crescent shaped pond planted with aquatic and marginal species. A timber viewing deck extends out over the pond whilst gentle earth mounding reinforces the crescent form. Small squares lead out into the courtyard from the from the buildings glazed porches.

The site peripheries have been designed to tie in with the 'green corridors' These have been established as part of the overall masterplan and the woodland, wetland and meadow habitats of Rainton Meadows. The planting includes native tree and shrub species together with areas of wildflower meadow.