Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council

INTERNAL LANDSCAPE TREATMENT
Nodes and Markers:
While the streets shall remain simple and uncluttered at floor level, several
large landscape interventions will be targeted as part of the development of
meeting points and development of a clear street identity. These shall be in the
form of large specimen trees grown between floors to emerge at first floor level,
which shall be seen as nodal points along the street level.
Event Space
Event space is provided at the confluence of the existing shopping centre
development and the extension of the Central Street – Pavilions Place. When
providing for such a space, it is essential that alternative active uses are
considered for such an adaptable stage area. This shall facilitate the interim use
of the space as a part of the integrated Town Centre experience, perhaps as part
of a combined dining function and public seating space.
Civic Values
A series of usable public spaces is developed along the logical structure of the
street layout. This series allows for the development of a sequence of squares
and functional nodes that run from the Metro entrance level, through the
Central Street where Pavilions Place is located, and continuing West as far as
the future Cultural Square development.
S W O R D S M A S T E R P L A N
ELEMENTS, MATERIALS AND EXPRESSION
STREET: SPACE, APPEARANCE AND USAGE
● Artwork – A series of artwork and bespoke urban elements, such as seating,
lighting and paving patterns will be used at appropriate locations.
● Lighting – Lighting shall be used as an integral design element while also
acting as a functional safety installation.
● Uncluttered and Uninterrupted – Provision of an unfussy floor plane that
responds to the street type requirements, while at the same time providing
seating and relaxation/outdoor dining functions. In this manner, patterns of
usage are considered and catered for.
● Vista and Termination – Consideration will be given to the provision of a
green terminus in the form of tree nodes and views to green areas to the
boundary.
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MATERIAL CONTINUITY:
The continuation of a uniform quality paving material shall provide an apparent
extension and integration of the future development into the existing Town
Centre. A key factor for the integration of the development shall be the
similarity/ matching of the external and internal landscape element.
A selection of lighting shall form a continuous appearance around the boundary
of the site, while also marking the primary street connections.
Specimen Tree selection:
The continuity of tree form and appearance shall provide a legible boundary
along the R132 which shall curve around and onto Malahide Road. Tree selection
at the Metro Plaza will be more urban in character (see section 7.0 Metro Quarter).
UPPER REALM RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE STRATEGY
● To achieve the appearance of a balanced and proportional landscape
treatment to roof terrace levels, it is critical that there is a sufficient
layering of planted material and build-up to allow for the installation of
large tree species and associated planting.
● To achieve the build-up and planting depth for the upper realm, landscape
will be carefully coordinated with the engineering requirements to take into
consideration the loading, drainage and irrigation issues. The availability of
an interstitial layer at below the residential levels allows for the
development of a much more dynamic and proportioned landscape
treatment than a standard ‘loaded’ roof terrace.
● The residential roof plan will allow the opportunity for a sequence of
interconnected spaces. It is intended that these landscaped areas are visible
from street level and add to the character and animation of the streetscape.
● A selection of spatial requirements will be included within the confines of
the upper realm levels. Semi public play area, barbeque and outdoor eating
areas, green space and shelter/screen planting are combined to create an
animated living environment.
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY – MATERIAL EXTENSION:
South Street shall be treated as a connected extension of the Central Street;
while distinctly changing the character from that of a primary pedestrian
thoroughfare, to that of a greened residential extension of the Town Centre.
This street shall provide a 3m wide continuous tree planting screen, increasing
the buffer provided by the adjoining Carlton Court public open space. Large
specimen tree planting at the ground floor level along the southern boundary
shall be required to reduce the impact of the development on the existing
residents to the south. The trees shall be semi-mature, with an initial height of
6m. These trees shall be spaced and inter-planted to create a continuous screen
above the current boundary wall. The planting shall be wholly at ground level and
into the natural ground, with suitable root space to allow trees grow to maturity.
While South Street will provide a residential component to level +1 Masterplan of
the scheme, the landscape shall respond to this by providing usable areas such
as the Southern square where the residential and Town Centre streets meet.
These shall appear in the form of public and semi public outdoor play areas for
children, outdoor ‘Trim Trails’ for adults and children alike, and the
development of a pedestrian-friendly street.