Glasshouse Street Tree and Movable Planters
The Challenge
To fully develop the detail design and manufacture of 13 large bespoke tree planters and 12 bespoke movable planters, which were conceptually designed by Ludwig Tewksbury (Public Realm Specialist) for The Crown Estate in partnership with Westminster City Council and Atkins (an SNC Lavin company).
The project scope included the design and manufacture of these products, storage, delivery and offloading, positioning and installation. The location is a very busy and high profile street in central London – Glasshouse Street / Piccadilly Circus. The tree planters include recessed LED illumination and the movable planters were designed with retractable wheels and ‘dead man’ breaks for safety, both products are constructed with very complex fabrications in stainless steel and patinated phosphor bronze cladding.
The Solution
Our approach to this contract was to set up a dedicated team to manage the project. This included design engineers, structural engineers (to carry out finite element analysis), project managers and a fully qualified installation team.
Initial general arrangement drawings were created and issued to our client, together with sample materials and finishes. This enabled the client to approve our interpretation of the concept and ensured that the manufactured products were manufactured to an agreed specification. Once approval was received we progressed the development of the design including FEA analysis for overturning and wind loading, while conducting routinely documented design reviews that included the client where necessary.
Once the final designs were fully signed off, our project management and supply chain manager organised production in-line with an agreed programme of works. Utilising our large specialist supply chain and robust supply chain management processes (in accordance with ISO9001:2015), materials were procured for inspection and final assembly at our 6000 square foot manufacturing facility.
Initial assemblies were inspected by our client and approved before completion of the remaining planters. Our design engineers then completed a fully detailed operation and maintenance manual for the end user, this document included specifications of the materials and finishes used and details of the general operation, routine maintenance, manufacturing / assembly drawings, handling requirements and installation procedures.
The Outcome
The installation of these planters is now completed. It transforms the area and creates a well designed alfresco dinning area for one of the businesses (Whole Foods). The planters have been well received with positive comments from both our clients, the general public and local businesses in the area.
Illuminated Tree Planters - The Crown Estate (Photography by Kevin Ricks at SNC Lavalin Atkins)
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