Tobermore provided HLM Architects with a variety of paving products that were used to create the striking landscape at The Square, an exciting business quarter in Leatherhead, Surrey. The Square comprises four impressive office buildings that total 68,851 sq. ft. in size and the project is the first development in the South East to achieve an EPC A rating.
Joe Harries, Associate at HLM Architects, explained that his aim in designing The Square was “to create a contemporary office environment within a high quality and attractive landscape setting.”
Joe commented that different hard landscaping solutions were considered for the project but paving was chosen as the superior solution: “We were looking for a range of quality products that were robust, aesthetically pleasing and cost effective, and we found that Tobermore were ahead of their peers in this area of the market.”
It was these factors that convinced HLM Architects to specify Tobermore Manhattan, Sienna Duo and Shannon Duo block paving products in creating a high quality finish for the site.
Manhattan is a plank paving product that is manufactured with a granite aggregate surface layer that produces a sparkling finish, similar to natural granite. Manhattan mixed length units were selected in the colours of Silver, Mid Grey and Graphite for the main area on site. Similar to Manhattan, Sienna Duo is manufactured with a granite aggregate surface layer. Sienna was installed in the rich colour of Sandstone on the parking bays, creating a striking, modern look alongside Manhattan.
Shannon Duo in the warm, blended tones of Heather was installed on the walkways surrounding the four office buildings on site. In contrast to the other Tobermore products specified, this product is manufactured with a smooth surface layer that is ideal for pedestrian use and wheeled traffic.
Joe explained the design concept developed with Tobermore products: “The colour, texture and unit sizes were varied to create unique character and function to the main circulatory and recreational spaces, providing a strong sense of arrival leading up to the central square that forms the heart of the development.
“Conceptually, we tried to create a contemporary, inspiring and inviting centralised hard landscaped amenity enclosed by both proposed and existing soft landscape infrastructure. This formal epicentre is the main focus of the scheme, with a large and striking public art feature, high quality paving, seating and subtle lighting. From this the landscape character gradates out to the informal and ecologically enhanced edges of the site, with extensive amenity planting used to break up the car parking areas in between.”
Reflecting on the result of project, Joe commented; “The hard landscaping products used worked well and we were extremely pleased with the service provided by Tobermore.
For good quality concrete and granite aggregate paving, Tobermore must be considered as one of the market leaders in terms of quality of product, service and competitiveness.”
