Culham Science Centre Quad

ASA Landscape Architects were appointed by UKAEA to design a new vibrant landscape to replace the tired patch of grass in a quadrangle within Culham Science Centre. The brief was to design a place that would be used as a meeting area for lunch and other social events, supporting the restaurant situated within the building. The focus being on the tenant’s mental well-being by encouraging rich social experiences.

The build took place in the first half of the year and was completed July 2022.

A portion of the site had already been refurbished with a patio and canopy as part of the restaurant extension to outdoor space and was completed immediately prior to the landscape construction. This acts as a connecting space between the indoor and new landscape.

Being an enclosed area, the quadrangle brought a few challenges to ensure that the refurbishment could be carried out with as much ease as possible considering all the supplies and clearance would have to cross through a corridor.

To design a vibrant and exciting landscape, ASA Landscape Architects used the concept of the atom and its energy and motion., creating a landscape that significantly improves the tenant experience with connectivity to other entrances around the quad.

The quad was divided into smaller more intimate spaces using paths, avenues of trees, linear planting beds with grasses and Corten steel screens for smaller group gatherings and meetings. There are four water features within the site that create a sense of energy and movement, whilst providing an ambient background noise. In addition, the design integrates a petanque court and an area for table tennis, to provide further recreational opportunities for occupiers. To provide protection against the wind and to create a more inviting space; 24 no. trees and tall grasses will help to block and filter the wind, whilst creating movement and ambient noise. A wide range of perennials & bulbs, with strong evergreen structural topiary will provide year-round interest and markedly improve nature diversity within the site.