Enthusiasts please help!

Hello Enthusiasts,

I am currently doing an Architecture project where I will be designing a plant and tree enthusiasts retreat in Bradgate park, Leicester.

Within this I think I would like to have :
A greenhouse,
A botany Laboratory
Access to the tree nursery
An Information Desk
As well as other mainstays such as bedrooms, dining etc.
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know much about plants, trees or what enthusiasts/professionals would require or like in a building like this, so if you would be so kind could you help me out?
Please reply with anything you would want or need in your dream venue for learning, viewing and volunteering in plant research within my building.

All your opinions or suggestions would be really appreciated

Thanks in Advance

Adam

 

Hi Adam,

Is this a costed project where you have to convince a 'client' and take their needs into consideration, or is it more an exercise in creative whimsy where you can really let your imagination go?

Do you have any more context?- Have you been busy with the AutoCAD? Can we see some of the diagrams?
How much space are you talking for example?

Also, I dont know that Park, are there any special growing conditions?
What's the soil like?


I think an organic, permaculture garden area would be great. People like to see a living, productive environment where they can get ideas for their own gardens.

Creating different types of habitat for maximum plant interest would be useful.

Or go the forest garden route, along the lines of Robert Hart.

 

Hi Melinda,

Thanks for the reply.

In answer to your questions, There is no budget involved this is a university project of fantasy I am still in the ideas stages so there is nothing on autocad as of yet but once i progress i will upload my drawings.

As far as constraints go they are as follows:

The building must have

A ticket booth for entry to the ruins on bradgate park ( i'm pretty much ignoring this )
Room for 6 people to stay
and then "any other required rooms" (this is where we can have some fun)

Bradgate park itself is about a thousand acres of land donated to leicester council a few hundred years ago and it remains largely untouched and is now protected. It has hundreds of plant species and dozens of tree species.

Im unsure about the soil type which is why i was thinking of a greenhouse where all the variables could be controlled or changed?

Kind Regards,

Adam

 

It's probably mildly acidic, tending to be shallow over granite outcrops, with areas of bracken-covered semi-moorland interspersed with forested areas.
Plenty of native trees growing - perhaps you could include freshly planted forest areas which include rarer or themed tree plantings.
For accommodation have you thought about treehouse apartments?

 

what an interesting idea.. i'll look into it thankyou

any other ideas welcome from anybody, i'm trying to leave my own opinion out as much as possible to get a different point of view

 

Most of us only see the part of the tree growing above ground, so an underground room with a perspex wall to see the roots growing would be good.

 

that is a brilliant idea!

 

I believe the park has one day every week where it runs transport around the park for the elderly and disabled, but you're right, one day a week is hardly fair. i will attempt to make every area accessible and enjoyable for disabled and elderly people. thanks for the input keep em comin'

 

UPDATE!

I have tweaked my breif for the good of the design. My building will now be very large and be home to a huge botanical garden house. think of it as the first gardening lovers hotel (is it the first? i have no idea) by doing this i can make the most fanastical ideas come into my design and have to room to do it.

Adam

 

Alnwick Gardens in Northumberland has a treehouse that is used for a wide range of activities/events.
The Alnwick Garden | The most exciting contemporary garden on earth

Something similar, properly developed, with access to both kids and disabled, could inspire a whole raft of developmental activities.