Landscaping
The scheme is being designed to integrate nature with science. The buildings would look out onto an open, landscaped area in the campus centre with innovative pocket gardens, work pods and social spaces for those working on and visiting the campus. These spaces will be linked by a network of new routes that will improve connectivity throughout the site and with the existing GSK headquarters to the south.
The illustrative masterplan outlines the key areas, which are further summarised below.
Landscape masterplan - click to enlarge
Campus Green and Eco Garden
The campus green will be located in the heart of campus and would include a variety of green spaces. This could include games and sports provisions, outdoor fitness and work pods for socialising and collaborating outdoors, as well as quieter pockets for rest. There is the potential to include a wetland area or water feature that would also support sustainable drainage. The park will be framed by a woodland edge, with forest areas and additional landscaping.
The Innovation Hub
The innovation hub, located across from the campus park, would provide a large flexible outdoor space for various community events. This could include an open cinema, pop-up food trucks, or performances from local schools.
Gateway Gardens & the Lab Link
The gateway gardens would be a welcoming space, providing a green buffer to the road and connecting to the arrival plaza via a new crossing. A series of 'garden rooms' and outdoor working spaces will be integrated throughout. The gardens would also include a dedicated cycle/active travel link, as well as a road and forest walk to the multi-storey car park and service yards.
Additional pocket gardens will be included within the lab links, creating additional extensions to the working environment.
Arrival plaza
The arrival plaza would be an open space with landscaped edges that connect to the surrounding area. A number of meanwhile uses could be provided in the arrival plaza including food festivals, growing gardens and public art with the potential for collaboration with local artists.
