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No lawnmowers in Ipswich high rise

JBA saved their client a small fortune for a flagship site at Ipswich docks recently. The London architects had proposed an area of lawn on a roof garden. Imagine all that steel and concrete needed to hold all that wet soil up in the air. But how can you create a soft, peaceful, open recreation space without an austere sea of hard paving?

JBA have been experimenting with artificial grass lawns for some time and put this idea forward for the scheme. James Blake had a lot of persuading to do. He took the design team to meet award winning Head Groundsman Alan Ferguson from Ipswich Town Football Club to show how artificial grass can look as good as the real thing. Everyone agreed that this was a great way to save money and ensure no need for watering, mowing or maintenance.

It's great for natural play areas too - intricate soft green space with very little upkeep. Our new play area at Flaktwoods phase 3 in Colchester is another fine a example of the value in this product.

It creates a fantastic back drop to the development in a rocky outcrop that would not work well if real grass were to be used. This avoids wear and tear that would leave ordinary grass looking like a sad and muddy mess.

This approach avoided a sure-bet bitter argument between the developer and residents living around the green space, which have been there for at a year or more before the play area was built. It is not easy to complain about a natural play landscape like this one.

James Blake Associates pride themselves on being able to save money whilst adding value through design.

For more innovative, cost effective design solutions contact JBA today!

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