Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council
Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council
Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council
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INTERNAL LANDSCAPE TREATMENT<br />
Nodes and Markers:<br />
While the streets shall remain simple and uncluttered at floor level, several<br />
large landscape interventions will be targeted as part of the development of<br />
meeting points and development of a clear street identity. These shall be in the<br />
form of large specimen trees grown between floors to emerge at first floor level,<br />
which shall be seen as nodal points along the street level.<br />
Event Space<br />
Event space is provided at the confluence of the existing shopping centre<br />
development and the extension of the Central Street – Pavilions Place. When<br />
providing for such a space, it is essential that alternative active uses are<br />
considered for such an adaptable stage area. This shall facilitate the interim use<br />
of the space as a part of the integrated Town Centre experience, perhaps as part<br />
of a combined dining function and public seating space.<br />
Civic Values<br />
A series of usable public spaces is developed along the logical structure of the<br />
street layout. This series allows for the development of a sequence of squares<br />
and functional nodes that run from the Metro entrance level, through the<br />
Central Street where Pavilions Place is located, and continuing West as far as<br />
the future Cultural Square development.<br />
S W O R D S M A S T E R P L A N<br />
ELEMENTS, MATERIALS AND EXPRESSION<br />
STREET: SPACE, APPEARANCE AND USAGE<br />
● Artwork – A series of artwork and bespoke urban elements, such as seating,<br />
lighting and paving patterns will be used at appropriate locations.<br />
● Lighting – Lighting shall be used as an integral design element while also<br />
acting as a functional safety installation.<br />
● Uncluttered and Uninterrupted – Provision of an unfussy floor plane that<br />
responds to the street type requirements, while at the same time providing<br />
seating and relaxation/outdoor dining functions. In this manner, patterns of<br />
usage are considered and catered for.<br />
● Vista and Termination – Consideration will be given to the provision of a<br />
green terminus in the form of tree nodes and views to green areas to the<br />
boundary.<br />
7 7<br />
MATERIAL CONTINUITY:<br />
The continuation of a uniform quality paving material shall provide an apparent<br />
extension and integration of the future development into the existing Town<br />
Centre. A key factor for the integration of the development shall be the<br />
similarity/ matching of the external and internal landscape element.<br />
A selection of lighting shall form a continuous appearance around the boundary<br />
of the site, while also marking the primary street connections.<br />
Specimen Tree selection:<br />
The continuity of tree form and appearance shall provide a legible boundary<br />
along the R132 which shall curve around and onto Malahide Road. Tree selection<br />
at the Metro Plaza will be more urban in character (see section 7.0 Metro Quarter).<br />
UPPER REALM RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE STRATEGY<br />
● To achieve the appearance of a balanced and proportional landscape<br />
treatment to roof terrace levels, it is critical that there is a sufficient<br />
layering of planted material and build-up to allow for the installation of<br />
large tree species and associated planting.<br />
● To achieve the build-up and planting depth for the upper realm, landscape<br />
will be carefully coordinated with the engineering requirements to take into<br />
consideration the loading, drainage and irrigation issues. The availability of<br />
an interstitial layer at below the residential levels allows for the<br />
development of a much more dynamic and proportioned landscape<br />
treatment than a standard ‘loaded’ roof terrace.<br />
● The residential roof plan will allow the opportunity for a sequence of<br />
interconnected spaces. It is intended that these landscaped areas are visible<br />
from street level and add to the character and animation of the streetscape.<br />
● A selection of spatial requirements will be included within the confines of<br />
the upper realm levels. Semi public play area, barbeque and outdoor eating<br />
areas, green space and shelter/screen planting are combined to create an<br />
animated living environment.<br />
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY – MATERIAL EXTENSION:<br />
South Street shall be treated as a connected extension of the Central Street;<br />
while distinctly changing the character from that of a primary pedestrian<br />
thoroughfare, to that of a greened residential extension of the Town Centre.<br />
This street shall provide a 3m wide continuous tree planting screen, increasing<br />
the buffer provided by the adjoining Carlton Court public open space. Large<br />
specimen tree planting at the ground floor level along the southern boundary<br />
shall be required to reduce the impact of the development on the existing<br />
residents to the south. The trees shall be semi-mature, with an initial height of<br />
6m. These trees shall be spaced and inter-planted to create a continuous screen<br />
above the current boundary wall. The planting shall be wholly at ground level and<br />
into the natural ground, with suitable root space to allow trees grow to maturity.<br />
While South Street will provide a residential component to level +1 <strong>Masterplan</strong> of<br />
the scheme, the landscape shall respond to this by providing usable areas such<br />
as the Southern square where the residential and Town Centre streets meet.<br />
These shall appear in the form of public and semi public outdoor play areas for<br />
children, outdoor ‘Trim Trails’ for adults and children alike, and the<br />
development of a pedestrian-friendly street.