Bicentenary Gardens
Environmentally conscious wayfinding strategies for green spaces and sites rich in biodiversity.
The Bicentenary Gardens is an open-mosaic habitat, about 4 hectares, situated South of the Brunel University Campus. The site was rarely used by students, those that did mistreated it and resulting in an uninviting space. Yet, it was the perfect green space to escape from brutalist University campus.
The Gardens were a key tool in the University’s Environmental Plan so it was integral to preserve and not impact the surrounding biodiversity. There were many reasons why the site was underused; most importantly there were safety issues. Without lighting or defined pathways, this hidden site was a magnet for misuse.
To ensure the surrounding biodiversity was not impacted, detailed site analysis including vegetation density and (plant) root mapping.
A ground fixing concept was devised for signs to reduce impact on nearby vegetation. Security and site-specific information was included at key points throughout site.
The project has scope for further development. Creating wayfinding systems that add to and enhance the biodiversity of a site is key for the future. The Bicentenary Gardens was a case study and my first chance to work with nature but not the last.
