Landscaping, including play spaces, are crucial to the design of spaces around the new building for The Island. 

Five key habitats will form the basis of the site: Park, Garden, Meadow, Woodland and Pond.

Each of these distinct habitats will allow for unique interactions with nature whilst also catering for a wide range of potential activities. This will enable site users to play an active role in defining how the spaces will be used. Integrating these five habitats will create a diverse and inspiring landscape that is both environmentally and socially sustainable.

The sustainability of the proposals are fundaental to the design approach and evident through the workshops with the young people, of vital importance to them. Working closely with Hoare-Lea, Vincent & Brown have developed a design that creates the lightest impact possible on the site.

The project will focus on ecological sensitivity, and include carbon neutral construction, alternative energy sources including on-site energy generation, and sustainable materials in line with the global One Planet Living framework.

The design is driven by 5 capitals of sustainability: