Crystal House Case Study
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Revitalise Crystal House’s central courtyard at Ealing Broadway into an inviting, ecofriendly external social space, using innovative landscaping to enhance urban wellbeing, navigate logistical challenges, and contribute to British Land’s sustainable community development objectives.
The challenge
The primary challenge in the redevelopment of 54 The Broadway, aka Crystal House, in the heart of Ealing Broadway, London, was to create a natural, inviting space for office staff to relax amidst one of the city’s busiest streets. This task was complicated by logistical challenges, including limited access points and the need to work around live retail units.
What was involved?
The project, undertaken by Eco Green Roofs Ltd (EGR) for McLaren Construction on behalf of British Land, involved a complete renovation of the four-storey building. A key focus was on rejuvenating a neglected central courtyard garden to provide a substantial external social space. The project demanded close collaboration between EGR, McLaren Construction, and project architects Corstophine + Wright.
The redevelopment required intricate logistics, including the removal of existing plants and soil by hand and the installation of new features while navigating the constraints of the busy urban location.
Planting to communal area
The solution
EGR’s solution included the implementation of its Podium System to transform the courtyard. This involved laying paving on pedestals, installing composite timber decking, a raised seating area with concealed lighting, bespoke wooden planters and seating, granite paving, and soft landscaping. EGR also added aesthetic elements like a stained timber slatted fence, timber screens, and planters with climbing hydrangea to enhance the space and soften the urban environment.
The results
The project successfully transformed a neglected space into nearly 3000 sq ft of inviting, natural external social space.
McLaren Construction Project Manager Mukesh Varsani commented, “In terms of logistics, this has been a complex redevelopment in the busiest street in Ealing Broadway. EGR’s contribution towards to whole ‘cut and carve’ redevelopment has proved its ability to optimise natural environments at all levels”.
The redevelopment met the brief and budget, delivering a high-quality landscaping project integral to British Land’s vision of creating a positive legacy for the environment and society.
Seating area with planting
Ealing Broadway is a bustling centre, which we are transforming to be a lasting, positive legacy for the environment and society. Growing social wellbeing is one of our key sustainable strategies, and that extends to detail such as including green spaces, where people can go to relax and switch off from their working day. EGR has provided a high quality landscaping project to brief and within budget, that will help us deliver on our objectives.
David Pollock, Development Director at British Land
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