Independent design, environment and sustainability consultancy, LDA Design, has won three awards, and was ‘highly commended’ in two further categories at this year’s Landscape Institute Awards.. The 2014 event was hosted by Majora Carter at a lunchtime ceremony on Thursday 27th November at Bloomsbury Big Top, London.
LDA Design’s successes this year’s awards include:
- Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon: received the President’s Award – the overall top prize at the Landscape Institute Awards and also won the Strategic Landscape Planning category. Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon will be the World’s first man-made energy-generating tidal lagoon. LDA Design’s masterplan will regenerate 2.5km of redundant dockland and create a new waterfront for Swansea, a focus for water-based activities and a major tourist destination in its own right. The judges said: This is a landmark scheme for Swansea Bay and potentially the whole UK- a landscape-led piece of nationally important infrastructure. The sense of ambition is hugely impressive and the range of amenities provided alongside the core build is exemplary. If the build and delivery come close to the concept and visualisations, this will be a very worthy winner indeed.”
- Adapting to Climate Change – Launching the Debate in the Lower Ouse Valley: This project won the College of Fellows Award for Climate Change Adaption. LDA Design completed work on a climate change vision and action Plan for the Lower River Ouse valley to help residents, businesses and land owners understand the risks and opportunities associated with climate change and prepare for adaption.The judges said: This clearly demonstrates a long-term vision (up to 2150) that has the ‘bones’ to provide a practical solution to the adverse climatic changes that we face.”
- Battersea Power Station Pavillion and Pop-Up Park: LDA Design was ‘highly commended’ in the Best Design for a Medium Scale Private Development category. The Power Station Pavilion and Pop-Up Park opened to the public in May 2013, initially as a venue for the Chelsea Fringe Festival and over the course of the summer for a variety of public uses. Since then, the Park and Pavilion has been the venue for a multitude of events, welcoming world leaders and celebrities alike to the Power Station. The judges said: “The design goes further than an average temporary scheme for a sales centre. The planting design has been well thought through, and the events lawn is functional, as it should be.”
- Burgess Park: LDA Design was ‘highly commended’ in the Best Design for a Large Scale Public Development category. Burgess Park is one of South London’s biggest parks. It re-opened its gates to the public in 2012 following an £8 million transformation funded by Southwark Council, The Mayor of London and The Creation Trust. LDA Design created an imaginative 21st century redesign for the park including an improved lake, beautifully shaped landforms, dedicated gardens, an innovative barbeque area, and improved biodiversity throughout. The judges said: “This is a wonderful regeneration project, changing the nature and identity of a space, involving local people and delighting the client. It is a fantastic expression of landscape design.”
- Wandle Park, Croydon: This project, entered by client Croydon Council was Highly Commended in the Large Scale Public Development category. LDA Design, was one of the landscape architects for this ambitious scheme which exemplifies not only the sensitive and successful river restoration for flood alleviation but also utilising funding and resources in the comprehensive regeneration of an historic urban park, resulting in the creation of a beautiful and vibrant open space – reconnecting the community with its river.
The judges said: “In addition to the visual transformation, the improvements to river capacity and potential for flood alleviation were impressive. The Project’s impact in terms of the wider regeneration of the town centre and as part of a connected series of spaces is commendable. Neil Mattinson, Senior Partner at LDA Design, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised in these prestigious awards. This has been a momentous year for the practice, not least because of our involvement with Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and the Battersea Power Station redevelopment and, two significant regeneration projects in the UK that we’re immensely proud of.”