The Box, Plymouth
The Box, Plymouth
Plymouth City Council are a prime example of how strategic planning and meticulous execution can bring about substantial enhancements to a city and foster community growth.
Cast your mind back to May 2014, when Plymouth City Council received a significant boost in the form of a £21m funding grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This financial injection breathed modernity into the Devon Coastal City while upholding its storied historical significance as a bastion of the British Royal Navy. Guided by the vision of the Mayflower 400 voyage anniversary, Stride Treglown spearheaded a multi-disciplinary team of experts, dedicating two years of collaborative effort alongside Plymouth City Council, Atkins, Ward Williams Associates and Faithful & Gould.
This ambitious undertaking cantered on the Grade 2 listed Tavistock Place Plymouth, forging a transformative scheme enriched with innovative placemaking initiatives designed to unite communities in the emerging cultural quarter. The newly envisioned public space allowed for the appreciation of the South West’s largest creative arts venue. The revamped project rebranded as ‘The Box’ stood as the fulcrum of the city’s aspirations, permanently transforming the vicinity by limiting vehicular access and cultivating cycling paths and open communal zones.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Plymouth City Council are a prime example of how strategic planning and meticulous execution can bring about substantial enhancements to a city and foster community growth.
Cast your mind back to May 2014, when Plymouth City Council received a significant boost in the form of a £21m funding grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This financial injection breathed modernity into the Devon Coastal City while upholding its storied historical significance as a bastion of the British Royal Navy. Guided by the vision of the Mayflower 400 voyage anniversary, Stride Treglown spearheaded a multi-disciplinary team of experts, dedicating two years of collaborative effort alongside Plymouth City Council, Atkins, Ward Williams Associates and Faithful & Gould.
This ambitious undertaking cantered on the Grade 2 listed Tavistock Place Plymouth, forging a transformative scheme enriched with innovative placemaking initiatives designed to unite communities in the emerging cultural quarter. The newly envisioned public space allowed for the appreciation of the South West’s largest creative arts venue. The revamped project rebranded as ‘The Box’ stood as the fulcrum of the city’s aspirations, permanently transforming the vicinity by limiting vehicular access and cultivating cycling paths and open communal zones.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
“Creating The Box and continuing to welcome visitors to engage in our treasured collections, inspiring spaces would not have been possible without the generous support of many valued partners and suppliers”
March 2017 marked the commencement of construction, championed by the renowned Willmott Dixon. Hand in hand with GreenBlue, the team excavated tree pit trenches encircling the remarkable History Centre perimeter, thereby elevating the area’s green infrastructure. Eight trees were strategically positioned at the entrance. Willmott Dixon’s commitment to sustainability shone through by engaging UK-based suppliers and utilising over 79% of UK-produced materials.
A standout feature of this development was the multipurpose nature-based engineer’s solution showcased by the tree pits, which played dual roles by augmenting the city’s canopy cover and functioning as a sustainable urban drainage system feature. GreenBlue solutions such as ArborCell and Rootspace were chosen to boost the total water volume capacity of 5.57 cubic litres beneath the ground. Demonstrating uncompromising quality, Willmott Dixons investment extended to the use of specialist soil for the SuDS tree pits, Arborsoil Hydro, ensuring a well-rounded knowledgeable SuDS approach. Completing these tree pits were eight superior double-tray galvanised Castle Tree Grilles that seamlessly harmonised with the surrounding pavement.
“Creating The Box and continuing to welcome visitors to engage in our treasured collections, inspiring spaces would not have been possible without the generous support of many valued partners and suppliers”
March 2017 marked the commencement of construction, championed by the renowned Willmott Dixon. Hand in hand with GreenBlue, the team excavated tree pit trenches encircling the remarkable History Centre perimeter, thereby elevating the area’s green infrastructure. Eight trees were strategically positioned at the entrance. Willmott Dixon’s commitment to sustainability shone through by engaging UK-based suppliers and utilising over 79% of UK-produced materials.
A standout feature of this development was the multipurpose nature-based engineer’s solution showcased by the tree pits, which played dual roles by augmenting the city’s canopy cover and functioning as a sustainable urban drainage system feature. GreenBlue solutions such as ArborCell and Rootspace were chosen to boost the total water volume capacity of 5.57 cubic litres beneath the ground. Demonstrating uncompromising quality, Willmott Dixons investment extended to the use of specialist soil for the SuDS tree pits, Arborsoil Hydro, ensuring a well-rounded knowledgeable SuDS approach. Completing these tree pits were eight superior double-tray galvanised Castle Tree Grilles that seamlessly harmonised with the surrounding pavement.
The Box, Plymouth was named in the New York Times as a top place to visit in 2020!
This narrative exemplifies how strategic vision, collaborative partnerships and an unwavering commitment to sustainability can reshape a city’s landscape while enriching its cultural and community fabric.
The Box, Plymouth was named in the New York Times as a top place to visit in 2020!
This narrative exemplifies how strategic vision, collaborative partnerships and an unwavering commitment to sustainability can reshape a city’s landscape while enriching its cultural and community fabric.
