Designing, specifying and building hard landscaping schemes for housing developments can be challenging. To help address this, Tobermore has introduced Create & Construct, a market-leading support hub for housebuilders. In the second article in our series, Krisa Montgomery, Housebuilding Team Leader at Tobermore, reviews more recent projects to illustrate how housebuilder and housing association teams have drawn on various aspects of the service to successfully tackle design, specification and construction challenges.
Bringing ideas to life
Working on a site with new builds and listed buildings adds complexity because hard landscaping materials must feel cohesive. At The Old Brewery in Salisbury, new housing was built alongside historic 15th-century listed buildings.
It was important that paving for pedestrian walkways and resident parking bays aligned with the historic appearance. However, visualising how products will look in situ can be difficult.
The project benefited from the visualisation and design tools available in Create & Construct. Using a 3D project visual from architect Barclay & Phillips, Tobermore presented a selection of paving options. This enabled developer Derek Warwick Developments to envision how the hard landscaping could complement the project.
Tobermore’s timeless Tegula block paving in Charcoal was chosen for both the walkways and parking bays. Its antique appearance helped maintain the location’s historic nature.
Delivering individuality on time aon in budget
Housebuilders are under pressure to deliver sustainable homes to tight budgets, and timescales. While Belmont Hall was no exception, Antrim Construction Company (ACC) embraced the idea of individuality, offering homes with a variety of finishes.
After comparing clay and concrete products, ACC chose Tobermore due to the quality and range of colours available. ACC expressed interest in incorporating a split stone product into their project. Tobermore provided a quote alongside a ‘sample wall panel’, which forms part of its Create and Construct service. The company decided to include Country Stone Walling alongside Tobermore Facing Bricks.
To guarantee Belmont Hall respected the natural environment, collaborating with a company committed to minimising environmental impact was paramount. Tobermore scored highly here by publishing independently verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which can be downloaded directly from the Create & Construct hub.
Strengthening a historic retaining wall
Retaining wall design can be complex, especially when the work could impact surrounding businesses. To the rear of the Latches Close social housing was a 200-year-old masonry wall, which had become unstable and dangerous. The failing masonry wall had been braced with timber struts for 10 years, but had begun to move. The wall couldn’t be taken down and replaced because there was a car sales business situated above it.
Clarion Housing Group contacted Engie to survey the failing wall and propose a solution. Engie consulted Tobermore’s Civil Engineering Consultants, who provide ‘Retaining Wall Design’ as part of the Create & Construct approach. Tobermore proposed the Secura Grand Retaining Wall system to strengthen and stabilise the existing wall, restoring land for residents and property managers.
“The free technical support provided on the complex Latches Close project was a great help,” said Chris Smith, Site Manager, Engie.
Using laying patterns to deliver form and function
Well-designed hard landscaping can help with wayfaring, add character and create delineated spaces for leisure and socialising. Berkley Group’s The Green Quarter demonstrates how this can be achieved.
One of the UK’s most biodiverse developments, the hard landscaping design needed to tie in with the local area. A functional yet aesthetically pleasing solution was required, ensuring commuter-friendly paving options.
Tobermore worked with architects, Applied Landscape Design and groundworker Kings Landscapes, throughout the design process. They provided complimentary paving visualisations, bespoke sample panels and laying patterns – services which all form part of Create & Construct.
This provided confidence in the final product selection. Artro’s ability to create unique design patterns by seamlessly blending various colour tones adds originality and personality to the scheme.
As we’ve seen, Create & Construct helps take the hassle out of every stage of a hard landscaping project. It is free to use and combines 20 different services, encompassing everything from easy-to-use online tools to access to Tobermore’s in-house design and technical teams.
Simply visit Create & Construct and move the slider to identify the services you need based on the stage of your project.