Landsmith Associates

Landsmith Associates was appointed by Orme Architecture/Kier and Natural England to design a new landscape masterplan to regenerate the Avalon Marshes Visitor Centre surrounded by lowland peat and wetlands as part of a SSSI and Ramsar Site for wetlands and birds, Shapwick Nature Reserve in Somerset. 

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We collaborated with Orme to change the grey, hard, frequently flooded car park into a lush green and welcoming landscape. Due to its ecological and landscape-sensitive areas, there are particular details in the selection of materials and planting selection to suit site conditions. Flavia Goldsworthy's design of planting details complements the surrounding ecologically sensitive area flora and fauna.

Our design creates a new landscape that refers to the local landscape character and better reflects the identity of the nature reserve.  The proposals included a new entrance and arrival space, an informal play area reforming the dipping pond, softening the car park and alleviating localised flooding in an area with a high water table. It also included sensitively enclosing the restructured historic buildings and Viking boat, a new education building and a covered seating area for the cafe.

The masterplan was approved in January 2019, and construction was planned in phases. Phase 1 was completed in May 2019. Kier Contractors completed the groundwork, while Landsmith oversaw the planting works, which Artisan Landscape completed.

Phase 2 was started in June 2023 and included a cafe, bioretention ponds, wetlands restoration, tree planting, native wildflower planting, swales, permeable paving and more. The overall biodiversity net gain is 90%.  Elmtree Landscape Contractors completed landscape works   ​​​​

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Phase 3 is due to start in 2025 which includes water sensitive design strategy for wetlands within new education area, visitor seating and play area, parking and inclusive access.

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