DIRECTORATE OF ESTATES AND FACILITIES PROCEDURE AND INFORMATION MANUAL EPM PM18 University Of Manchester Landscape Masterplan Document originated: March 2014 By: Steve Jordan Issue number: One No of pages: 66 Status: Live Last revised: Original By: Steve Jordan Next revision: March 2016 By: Steve Jordan The purpose of this document is to set out an indicative approach to solutions for the design of the spaces between University buildings, and aims to ensure that there is a cohesive vision and approach. It sets out a framework for the future landscape, guided by campus wide diagrams to ensure a holistic approach is taken and suggested palettes of materials to ensure a co-ordinated design is achieved. The Landscape Masterplan provides the principles that, with flexible and inventive interpretation, can be used to design places that are stimulating and well-managed and complimentary to the campus as a whole. The University of Manchester Landscape Masterplan MARCH 2014 GILLESPIES | aa projects Introduction 02 The University of Manchester Landscape Masterplan Contents Foreword Executive Summary 1.0 Introduction 3.0 A Future Campus 1.1 The Landscape Masterplan 09 3.1 A Quality Campus 29 1.2 The Wider Picture 09 3.2 A Social Campus 31 1.3 Structure 09 3.3 A Connected and Accessible Campus 33 3.4 A Sustainability Campus 35 2.0 The Campus Today 3.5 A Green Campus 37 3.6 An Artful and Historic Campus 39 2.1 Learning, Working & Living 11 2.2 Movement & Circulation 13 4.0 Landscape Palette 2.3 Accessibility 15 2.4 The Landscape Audit 17 4.1 Fit for Purpose 41 2.5 The Focus 21 4.2 Reflecting and Reinforcing Character 43 2.6 The Neighbours 23 4.3 Surfaces 44 2.7 An Evolving Campus 25 4.4 Furniture 50 2.8 Tree Cover 27 4.5 Planting 56 4.6 Design and Construction Principles 62 5.0 Further Work 5.1 Surveys 65 5.2 Management Plans 65 5.3 Commissioning Art 65 Foreword The Landscape Masterplan sets out an indicative approach to solutions for the design of the spaces between University buildings, and aims to ensure that there is a cohesive vision and approach. It sets out a framework for the future landscape, guided by campus wide diagrams to ensure a holistic approach is taken and suggested palettes of materials to ensure a co-ordinated design is achieved. The Landscape Masterplan provides the principles that, with flexible and inventive interpretation, can be used to design places that are stimulating and well-managed and complimentary to the campus as a whole. 04 The University of Manchester Landscape Masterplan Executive Summary 0.1 Introduction 0.2 The Campus Today 0.3 A Future Campus The Landscape Masterplan has been developed in context of wider It is important that the Landscape Masterplan is based on a A core aim of the Landscape Masterplan is to help develop a place for University plans and strategies including: thorough understanding of the campus and its context. This gives people; a place which people will find easy to understand, a place that the Landscape Masterplan credibility and ensures the campus • Manchester 2020: The Strategic Plan for The University of is memorable and identifiable, a place that is distinctive. It is vital that landscape that results will have evolved from the place and is not Manchester both students and staff have a sense of belonging and a strong ‘sense an arbitrary or imposed solution. All future landscape works need • Campus Masterplan 2012–2022 of place’ which visitors will also recognise in a single campus. to recognise past issues and build on the assets of the campus in a • Environmental Sustainability and Biodiversity Plan positive way Key to delivering this aim will be the establishment of a high The Landscape Masterplan has also been developed in light of quality public realm that reflects the character of both the An audit of movement, circulation, access and the landscape itself evolving proposals for the Oxford Road Corridor at the heart University and Manchester, and provides spaces within which helps build a picture of the campus today. Identifying key focal of the campus. It focuses on the public realm - routes, spaces people can gather to study, socialise, and enjoy educational, points and understanding emerging development proposals for the and materials for existing and future development. Particular cultural and recreational activities. future, will ensure the Landscape Masterplan builds on the best of reference is made to paving, street furniture and planting design. the past whilst looking forward. The campus landscape also needs An improved public realm will be delivered over a period of years, The Landscape Masterplan also highlights the integration of public to consider the wider area and links to and through the city. building on the good progress made over the past few years. The art in its capacity to inform the character of different areas of the Landscape Masterplan now seeks to establish a level of consistency campus. Only a few areas within the campus already meet or come close and quality for the public realm across the single campus, whilst to the quantum leap in quality that the Landscape Masterplan The Landscape Masterplan sets out an indicative approach to ensuring a flexible approach to future delivery, considering each envisages, such as new landscape associated with the Alan Gilbert solutions for the design of the spaces between University buildings, part of the campus and it’s specific context. Learning Commons. The quality achieved here should be the and aims to ensure that there is a cohesive vision and approach. minimum expected across the whole campus to help meet the The Landscape Masterplan has a number of key themes: overall objectives of the University. It sets out a framework for the future landscape, guided by campus • A Social Campus wide diagrams to ensure a holistic approach is taken and suggested • A Connected and Accessible Campus palettes of materials to ensure a co-ordinated design is achieved. • A Sustainable Campus The Landscape Masterplan provides the principles that, with • A Green Campus flexible and inventive interpretation, can be used to design places • An Artful and Historic Campus that are stimulating and well-managed and complimentary to the campus as a whole. 05 Executive Summary 0.4 Landscape Palette 0.5 Further Work The landscape palette or language, that is the surfaces, furniture The importance of trees on campus is demonstrated throughout and planting, of any place needs to respond to the many other built the Landscape Masterplan. Trees are a valuable asset, supporting elements around and within it, such as buildings, public art, existing all aspects of sustainability - environment, society and economy. planting and existing materials. This type of visual language also In recognition of their value, the first comprehensive survey and needs to communicate to the users of the place and in this case inventory of existing trees on campus is being commissioned. create a cohesive and easily accessible campus. To complement an existing inventory of paintings, sculptures and Building a campus over a long period of time creates an interesting artefacts, further detailed work should be commissioned to focus mix of architectural and landscape styles. At the University on those external art works that are to be relocated from North of Manchester there are several different spaces and styles of Campus to establish their condition and any requirements for architecture. However for the purposes of creating a coherent refurbishment when relocated. campus this study has identified two main characters and thus two It is recommended that when commissioning landscape projects, landscape palettes or languages for the campus: an allowance should be made for the provision of a detailed site • Heritage Language specific management and maintenance plan that will guide future • Contemporary Language upkeep of the new public space. In addition, whilst commissioning new works of public art can be challenging, but ultimately Boldness, simplicity, style and elegance are fundamental rewarding, a number of methods can be considered, including characteristics of the landscape palette. The aim of improving open competition or limited competitions and also inviting artists the environmental quality and the design of streets and spaces directly for prestigious or difficult commissions. must also include the reduction and rationalisation of clutter and attention to detail and a high level of workmanship. 06 The University of Manchester Landscape Masterplan APPENDIX Design proposals are being prepared for a number of spaces to illustrate the potential of the Landscape Masterplan to transform the campus and raise the quality of the external environment. These design proposals will include: • Brunswick Street Public Realm (concept illustration shown right) • Devas Street /Blyton Street • Coupland Street & the Rear Quad • Mansfield ooperC Building • Thorncliffe Shopping Parade 07 Introduction 08 The University of Manchester Landscape Masterplan 1.0 Introduction 1.1 The Landscape Masterplan 1.3 Structure “By 2020 The University of Manchester will be one of the top The Landscape Masterplan focuses on the public realm - routes, 25 research universities in the world, where all students enjoy a spaces and materials for existing and future development. Particular rewarding educational and wider experience; known worldwide reference is made to paving, street furniture and planting design. The as a place where the highest academic values and educational Landscape Masterplan also highlights the integration of public art in innovation are cherished, where research prospers and makes a real its capacity to inform the character of different areas of the campus. difference, and where the fruits of scholarship resonate throughout The Landscape Masterplan sets out an indicative approach to society.” (The Strategic Plan for The University of Manchester) solutions for the design of the spaces between University buildings, A high quality campus landscape will help achieve this goal of the and aims to ensure that there is a cohesive vision and approach.