Designing effective hard landscaping schemes is rarely straightforward. With this in mind, in December ’25, Tobermore launched Create & Construct, the most comprehensive hard landscaping support hub on the market. Here, Lisa Gow, Head of Specification at Tobermore, looks at recent projects to see how architects, landscape architects and specifiers have used different elements of the service to overcome design and specification challenges.
Bringing ideas to life
Working on a site that contains both new builds and listed buildings adds complexity because hard landscaping materials must be carefully chosen to ensure the scheme feels cohesive. This was the case at The Old Brewery in Salisbury, which saw the construction of a new residential development against a backdrop of listed 15th-century buildings.
It was important that the paving for pedestrian walkways and resident parking bays aligned with the historic appearance of the location. However, it can be difficult to visualise what products will look like in situ.
Here, the project benefited from paving visualisation support. Using a 3D project visual from the architect, Barclay & Phillips, Tobermore presented a selection of paving options for the communal courtyard and paths. This enabled the developer, Derek Warwick Developments, to envision how the hard landscaping could complement the project. The 2D and 3D Landscape Design Service for commercial projects is a popular element of Create & Construct.
Tobermore’s vintage themed Tegula block paving in Charcoal was chosen as the primary hard landscaping material. The product’s antique appearance helped maintain the location’s historic character, offering an aged yet traditional style finish. Due to its durability, Tegula was suitable for both the walkways and parking bays.
Specifying permeable paving for a SuDS scheme
Climate crisis has increased the intensity and frequency of rainfall in the UK, so to mitigate the risk, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) should be utilised on housing and public realm schemes where possible. Architect and developer firm Vabel chose Tobermore’s Hydropave permeable paving for the residential development in Lawrence Road, Seven Sisters, London.
Senior Architect at Vabel, Tommy Devine, explained how the project benefitted from elements of Tobermore’s Create & Construct approach: “We received excellent support from conception to completion, including expert guidance on SuDS. The ‘Virtual Sample Studio’ was invaluable in reducing the number of physical samples we had to order – a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. The process was inspiring, project-focused, and gave us complete confidence in specifying their products.”
As a result, Tobermore’s Hydropave Braemar & Hydropave Fusion products were selected for their aesthetic and performance characteristics.
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, with 50% open green space and parkland, the hard landscaping design at The Green Quarter needed to tie in with the vibrant nature of the area. A functional yet aesthetically pleasing solution was required, ensuring commuter-friendly paving options.
Tobermore worked closely 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, and Artro block paving was laid in an interesting five-way colour mix of Heather, Bracken, Autumn, Slate and Carbon in a trendy herringbone pattern. Other pedestrianised zones feature Artro in warm clay-like tones of Heather and Autumn in a stretcher bond laying pattern. Artro’s ability to create unique design patterns by seamlessly blending various colour tones adds originality and personality to the scheme.
Creating valuable space with retaining walls
Sloping sites can be problematic for hospitality operations such as John O’Gaunt Golf Club, which wanted to create a new outdoor seating area beside the clubhouse.
The project architect had specified a single gabion wall to retain the expanded patio area. Keen to look at alternatives, the management team consulted Tobermore’s experts about the Secura mortarless retaining wall system. As part of the Create & Construct service, Tobermore offers a range of services to support Secura products, ranging from retaining wall design and materials and labour pricing tools through the Secura Portal to toolbox talks on installation best practice.
To address both functionality and visual appeal, Tobermore’s retaining wall team proposed a tiered retaining wall approach using the Secura Grand retaining wall system in Bracken. This created space for a more expansive patio area. For the main patio surface, Mayfair slabs in Silver, along with Sienna Setts in Silver, were recommended, adding a sleek granite aggregate finish that enhanced the overall modern feel of the space.
“Tobermore’s team played a pivotal role, not only transforming the initial concept into a fully realised design but also guiding us through the process,” said Gordon MacLeod, General Manager, John O’Gaunt Golf Club.
As we’ve seen, Create & Construct helps take the hassle out of hard landscaping design and specification. The Create element combines 19 services at the moment, designed and curated to support projects throughout the detail design and specification stages, encompassing everything from easy-to-use online tools to access to Tobermore’s in-house design and technical experts. This comprehensive support helps specifiers, architects and designers deliver projects more efficiently and with greater confidence.
Simply visit Create & Construct, move the slider to select your project’s stage, and discover how Tobermore can help make hard landscaping easy for you.