SERVICES > MASTERPLANNING & URBAN DESIGN
 


Our approach to the specialist discipline of urban design is analysis–based.

We believe it is important to fully understand a place and its people. Ours is a process of collaboration, with the core aim of reconciling conflicting interests and adding value. Informed design proposals evolve naturally when a comprehensive investigation of historic, current and future planning initiatives has been carried out, along with a detailed appraisal of the study area and its physical, social and economic context & constraints.

We start from the premise that each study area is unique with its own history, fabric, culture and challenges. Our approach focuses on identifying and analyzing the character and quality of both the built fabric and the public realm, understanding movement patterns through the site and testing its outer connections and inner permeability, assessing whether there are clear boundaries and whether the area is legible and easy to get around.

 

We present a summary of the analysis and define a strategy and set of objectives to inform the design process, whilst taking a detailed brief from the client and understanding the core cultural and commercial targets that will drive the scheme.
Our design approach draws in all aspects of the development form, making recommendations on the urban grain and structure; building density and mix; height and massing; appearance; phasing and public realm.

Collaborating with specialist advisors where required, access & movement are related directly to land use and development targets and the scheme is layered to include all aspects of infrastructure, landscape planning and ecology.

Where appropriate, we link with in–house town planners, architects, landscape architects and environmental specialists to offer an integrated service. In addition, our urban designers have considerable experience in and consultation.
   Our U.S.P
– To meet or exceed the client’s commercial objectives
– To create a scheme we can all be proud of