Archived News 2018

archived news from 2018

ALD Christmas Outing 6th December 2018 This year the ALD gang went to a lovely local nursery to get our creative juices flowing and make our own Christmas Wreaths! A jolly afternoon getting into the Christmas Spirit, followed by a few liquid sprits at a nearby pub! We hope you all have a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!	Two of ALD's Projects in Print 4th December 2018 Fabulous to see 2 of ALD’s core projects featured in this inspiring book about Staging Urban Landscapes – The Activation and Curation of Flexible Spaces. We over the last 12 years we have undertaken significant work at Kings Cross with the construction team and it’s amazing to have seen it grow into the world renowned square it is today. It just proves once again that ALD’s dedication and hard work as part of the team really pays off.
Landscape Institute Awards 2018 22nd November 2018 It was a pleasure to attend another great event held by the Landscape Institute ‘Celebrating people, place and nature’. Always fun catching up with old colleagues and acquaintances, and hearing what everyone has been getting up to plus seeing the wealth of projects that are being showcased. BBC Radio London presenter Ebs Akintade was a witty compère for the 2018 Awards ceremony.	Its all in the Detail 20th November 2018 A small courtyard that ALD helped to design and oversee the installation of very near to us in Banbury. With some precise requirements, very set ideas, a tight budget and even tighter timescale we were able to assist in turning this space in to a 24hr attraction. The client has been very happy with this newly renovated courtyard and it has been well used since its opening in late summer.
Tree Tagging 31st October 2018 Catherine had a successful trip out to Holland to select trees for a couple of projects ready to be installed next year. The autumn colour is just getting into its full flush!	ALD Were Excited to See... 17th September 2018 The green wall mock up on site at Ashford. It has really helped the team to visualise the development and understand the details.
Athlete's Village 2012 Revisited 13th September 2018 Kris recently revisited the Athlete's Village scheme in September 2018, we think you will agree that it is looking vibrant and well used, 6 years on its maturing well - a triumph for all involved. For more photos click on the image.	Sculpture at Glasshouse Gardens 13th September 2018 The sun is really setting off this beautiful piece of sculpture designed by Lothar Götz at the entrance to Glasshouse Gardens.
One Year On..... 13th September 2018 And we hope you agree that our project Glasshouse Gardens is still looking stunning.	Landscape Institute Conference 2018 6th September 2018 Alicia and Matt both attended the Landscape Institute Valuing Landscape Conference. Lots of CPD hours logged!
On The Hunt for Precast Concrete 22nd August 2018 Kym had an invaluable visit to London this morning to show a client around several recently installed schemes to reviews precast concrete - These photos are from the redevelopment of the BBC television centre at Wood Lane	More Precast Concrete! 22nd August 2018 On their walkabout they also stopped off at a lovely courtyard in White City - what a day for a visit!
LVIA Site Visit 31st July 2018 What a a great part of the world for an Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, could not have asked for better weather!	Triplets Park 26th July 2018 On todays site inspection Triplets Park was looking absolutely stunning, the irrigation system is doing its job well in all this heat. Well worth a look if your in the Kings Cross area.
Temporary Landscapes 9th July 2018 The fun you can have with a temporary landscape - the MUGA area at Glasshouse Gardens has been transformed into a vibrant terrace for the summer.	SUDS @ Ashford 26th June 2018 What a lovely day for a site visit there was significant Blue Sky yesterday at our Ashford site, you wouldn’t believe this was under flood water 2 months ago! The block paving is working its way across the tanked attenuation storage aggregate under layers, with more than 1,000,000 blocks to install to complete this particular bit of work!!
Fancy being a guest in this Hotel? 26th June 2018 A great example on one of our school sites of the additional habitats we have to provide as part and parcel of the landscape works – we envisage some very happy bugs settling in this particular bug hotel in the future.	Green Walls 20th June 2016 A great visit to Biotecture for our huge green wall project to get some inspiration! All the walls in production looked fantastic, and as always a pleasure to work with the team. We have come away with serious thirst for lush ferns and deep greens.
Urban Design End of Year Show 30th May 2018 ALD attended Oxford Brookes Urban Design End of Year Show, showcasing the best of the student work in Urban Design, and we have got to say we were mightily impressed by some of the projects, and the effort that will have gone into them. It’s refreshing to see new ideas and ways of thinking.	Cumulative Impact Assessment 30th May 2018 With the increase in built density across the UK ALD are finding that LVIA’s and Cumulative Environmental Statements are required more frequently, this CPD at Oxford Brookes was a valuable refresher of the core skills in relation to Cumulative Environmental Statements. The course aimed to develop knowledge and understanding of the assessment process including in-combination effects. A great course, a very informative day and great cake!
Jubilee Gardens 24th May 2018 On a slightly overcast day, Jubilee Gardens at the base of the London Eye is still looking impressive. We can’t believe the Queen came to open this project 6 years ago now! A testament to all the hard work that went into it, and great maintenance that ensures it is still looking so lush and green.	Landscape Institute Midlands AGM 23rd May 2018 An interesting couple of hours spent at the LI Midlands Branch AGM. Kym enjoyed a particularly insightful talk from Dan Cook, the Landscape institute’s CEO, on the value of landscape and exploring challenging ideas about where the Institute goes next.
Eastside City Park 23rd May 2018 Just before the LI Midlands AGM, Kym and Alison had the opportunity to soak up some spring sunshine at Eastside City Park. It has matured into a beautiful space and is still so lush and green. The legacy is still going strong in central Birmingham, a testament to all who were involved.	Paradise Phase One, Birmingham 21st May 2018 Click on this text to take you to the link for a great time lapse video and individual stills, showing the the progress on site at Paradise in Birmingham.
RIBA London Awards 2018 15th May 2018 We are delighted that Gasholder No.8, R7 Building and the GasHolders (Triplets Park) at Kings Cross have all picked up RIBA London Awards this year. It was great to work as part of the team carrying out the landscape detailing for all three projects.	Nicholsons Plant Centre 9th May 2018 ALD had a lovely afternoon out to our local Plant Centre, Nicholsons in Oxfordshire. We enjoyed our tour around the 23-acre site which was polished off nicely with tasty nibbles in the yurt.
Westfield London is Now Open! 3rd May 2018 The Westfield London extension is now open and the public realm is already bustling with people enjoying the sunshine. ALD have been working on the project since 2014 and have seen it through from early concept design to delivery onsite. A focal point to the development is Relay Square which is an 800m² dedicated outdoor events space focussing on dining and entertainment.	Kew Gardens Temperate House Opens 5th May 2018 ALD had the great honour of working with Fountains Direct to bring to life the water cascades and lake that opened this week as part of the Temperate House Restoration at Kew Gardens.
Gas Holder Reflections 2nd May 2018 On a dull damp day, landscape can still look stunning. This photo was taken in the middle of Triplets Park, Gas Holder 8.	Ashford Designer Outlet 1st May 2018 ALD don’t just do bespoke pieces & fabrication coordination - we are great at the soft stuff too! The design as a whole has a strong environmental and ecological emphasis, with the first phases of SUDS carparking presently being installed.
London Dock Water Feature 27th April 2018 The Gauging Square is looking splendid in the sun. It's new water feature is now up and running, it brings motion and height to the space.	Kings Cross Scorcher! 19th April 2018 It was lovely to see so many people outside and enjoying the many Kings Cross public spaces we have been involved in. Handyside Gardens, Granary Square, Triplets Park and Cubitt Square were bathed in sun.
Biodiversity at Kings Cross 15th April 2018 ALD are proud to be involved with the uplift in biodiversity at Kings Cross. Naturalistic planting features at ground, terrace and roof level across the development. Read more about this in the FutureArch April 2018 publication, as they discuss with Des Smith (Willerby Landscapes) the Head Gardener at Kings Cross how the planting on the roof top gardens at Kings Cross have attracted new wildlife to the area.	Spring is Here! 12th April 2018 The daffodils & perennials at Birmingham Library are still going strong, despite the cold weather. Such a lovely sight to see our planting scheme is established and healthy 5 years on.
Ardley Energy Recovery Facility 20th February 2018 The team took part in a great CPD visit to Ardley Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) owned by Viridor, where we learnt all about sustainable waste management and how energy recovery fits into the waste hierarchy.	Hilton Garden Inn 19th February 2018 ALD are happy to see that the renovation of the Hilton Garden Inn at Abingdon is underway beneath blue skies and are looking forward to the point when our landscape masterplan is implemented to compliment the 4 storey extension, outdoor dining terraces and carpark reconfiguration. It was also good to see the correct installation of tree protection fencing, to protect the existing mature treed boundary of the site as part of the planning conditions
Great Marlow School 14th February 2018 Another successful completion inspection to review recently installed soft Landscape on behalf of Clipston Control Limited and Buckinghamshire County Council at Great Marlow School, as part of a framework agreement. The contractor as part of the works undertook the renovation of a well-used and well-loved courtyard to create an outdoor covered classroom, the expansion of the school carpark and other remedial works around site to support the schools expansion programme.	ALD Benches 1st February 2018 We have been looking back at the great selection of benches we have created over 2017. Happy to see our meticulous detailing producing such lovely bespoke street furniture products on projects such as 30 Cannon Street, Nova Public Realm & London Dock.
Somers Town Bridge Featured 29th January 2018 It was great to see our Kings Cross project Somers Town Bridge featured in the New Steel Construction Annual review publication.	Palmstead Planting Workshop 24th January 2018 ALD thoroughly enjoyed attending this years soft landscape workshop - especially seeing so many of our projects featured. We enjoyed listening to the concepts behind Dan Pearson's Kings Cross Planting schemes on projects such as Gasholder No. 8 and The Viaduct. We were also keen to hear the latest biosecurity updates from the Chief Plant Health Officer Nicola Spence, especially in regards to Xylella fastidiosa and are certain to be more aware when specifying trees from abroad.
A Trip to Heron Quays Roof Terrace 12th December 2017 First stop for Christmas do tour of Canary Wharf was Heron Quays 1 Roof Garden - a retrofit roof top scheme at the heart of Canary Wharf over looked by hundreds of office workers. Still full of colour in December and going strong after 5 years!

archived news from 2018

ALD Christmas Outing

Two of ALD's Projects in Print

Landscape Institute Awards 2018

Its all in the Detail

Tree Tagging

31st October 2018 Catherine had a successful trip out to Holland to select trees for a couple of projects ready to be installed next year. The autumn colour is just getting into its full flush!

ALD Were Excited to See...

17th September 2018 The green wall mock up on site at Ashford. It has really helped the team to visualise the development and understand the details.

Athlete's Village 2012 Revisited

13th September 2018 Kris recently revisited the Athlete's Village scheme in September 2018, we think you will agree that it is looking vibrant and well used, 6 years on its maturing well - a triumph for all involved. For more photos click on the image.

Sculpture at Glasshouse Gardens

13th September 2018 The sun is really setting off this beautiful piece of sculpture designed by Lothar Götz at the entrance to Glasshouse Gardens.

One Year On.....

13th September 2018 And we hope you agree that our project Glasshouse Gardens is still looking stunning.

Landscape Institute Conference 2018

6th September 2018 Alicia and Matt both attended the Landscape Institute Valuing Landscape Conference. Lots of CPD hours logged!

On The Hunt for Precast Concrete

22nd August 2018 Kym had an invaluable visit to London this morning to show a client around several recently installed schemes to reviews precast concrete - These photos are from the redevelopment of the BBC television centre at Wood Lane

More Precast Concrete!

22nd August 2018 On their walkabout they also stopped off at a lovely courtyard in White City - what a day for a visit!

LVIA Site Visit

31st July 2018 What a a great part of the world for an Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, could not have asked for better weather!

Triplets Park

26th July 2018 On todays site inspection Triplets Park was looking absolutely stunning, the irrigation system is doing its job well in all this heat. Well worth a look if your in the Kings Cross area.

Temporary Landscapes

9th July 2018 The fun you can have with a temporary landscape - the MUGA area at Glasshouse Gardens has been transformed into a vibrant terrace for the summer.

SUDS @ Ashford

Fancy being a guest in this Hotel?

26th June 2018 A great example on one of our school sites of the additional habitats we have to provide as part and parcel of the landscape works – we envisage some very happy bugs settling in this particular bug hotel in the future.

Green Walls

20th June 2016 A great visit to Biotecture for our huge green wall project to get some inspiration! All the walls in production looked fantastic, and as always a pleasure to work with the team. We have come away with serious thirst for lush ferns and deep greens.

Urban Design End of Year Show

Cumulative Impact Assessment

Jubilee Gardens

Landscape Institute Midlands AGM

23rd May 2018 An interesting couple of hours spent at the LI Midlands Branch AGM. Kym enjoyed a particularly insightful talk from Dan Cook, the Landscape institute’s CEO, on the value of landscape and exploring challenging ideas about where the Institute goes next.

Eastside City Park

Paradise Phase One, Birmingham

21st May 2018 Click on this text to take you to the link for a great time lapse video and individual stills, showing the the progress on site at Paradise in Birmingham.

RIBA London Awards 2018

15th May 2018 We are delighted that Gasholder No.8, R7 Building and the GasHolders (Triplets Park) at Kings Cross have all picked up RIBA London Awards this year. It was great to work as part of the team carrying out the landscape detailing for all three projects.

Nicholsons Plant Centre

9th May 2018 ALD had a lovely afternoon out to our local Plant Centre, Nicholsons in Oxfordshire. We enjoyed our tour around the 23-acre site which was polished off nicely with tasty nibbles in the yurt.

Westfield London is Now Open!

Kew Gardens Temperate House Opens

5th May 2018 ALD had the great honour of working with Fountains Direct to bring to life the water cascades and lake that opened this week as part of the Temperate House Restoration at Kew Gardens.

Gas Holder Reflections

2nd May 2018 On a dull damp day, landscape can still look stunning. This photo was taken in the middle of Triplets Park, Gas Holder 8.

Ashford Designer Outlet

1st May 2018 ALD don’t just do bespoke pieces & fabrication coordination - we are great at the soft stuff too! The design as a whole has a strong environmental and ecological emphasis, with the first phases of SUDS carparking presently being installed.

London Dock Water Feature

27th April 2018 The Gauging Square is looking splendid in the sun. It's new water feature is now up and running, it brings motion and height to the space.

Kings Cross Scorcher!

19th April 2018 It was lovely to see so many people outside and enjoying the many Kings Cross public spaces we have been involved in. Handyside Gardens, Granary Square, Triplets Park and Cubitt Square were bathed in sun.

Biodiversity at Kings Cross

Spring is Here!

12th April 2018 The daffodils & perennials at Birmingham Library are still going strong, despite the cold weather. Such a lovely sight to see our planting scheme is established and healthy 5 years on.

Ardley Energy Recovery Facility

20th February 2018 The team took part in a great CPD visit to Ardley Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) owned by Viridor, where we learnt all about sustainable waste management and how energy recovery fits into the waste hierarchy.

Hilton Garden Inn

Great Marlow School

ALD Benches

1st February 2018 We have been looking back at the great selection of benches we have created over 2017. Happy to see our meticulous detailing producing such lovely bespoke street furniture products on projects such as 30 Cannon Street, Nova Public Realm & London Dock.

Somers Town Bridge Featured

29th January 2018 It was great to see our Kings Cross project Somers Town Bridge featured in the New Steel Construction Annual review publication.

Palmstead Planting Workshop

A Trip to Heron Quays Roof Terrace

12th December 2017 First stop for Christmas do tour of Canary Wharf was Heron Quays 1 Roof Garden - a retrofit roof top scheme at the heart of Canary Wharf over looked by hundreds of office workers. Still full of colour in December and going strong after 5 years!