Green Acre Grange

Austen Landscape Architects have been entrusted with the comprehensive planning and detailed design of a distinguished residential development designed by Marlet. This ambitious project features 307 apartments across three meticulously designed blocks. The layout of the buildings has been thoughtfully arranged to optimize natural light and enhance the living experience. Central to the design is a network of interconnected communal spaces, which include approximately 7,000 square meters of green areas and 1,800 square meters of paved surfaces, creating a vibrant and inviting environment for residents.

In response to the setting, the buildings at Green Acre Grange are conceived of as pavilions in a landscape; placed to create a series of linked gardens, play areas and green spaces, each with a distinct function or character. Shared amenity spaces are provided to enhance this sense of community and to relate positively to the shared gardens and courtyards.

Green Acre Grange is one of Ireland’s first Blue Roof residential developments and can be explored further at https://marlet.ie/project/green-acre-grange/. The Blue roof is a new sustainable urban drainage technology, designed to attenuate and manage rainwater at roof level via a restrictive flow outlet – this eliminates the need for large attenuation tanks at basement level, leaving more space for resident’s amenities.

The landscape design enhances the development by creating a beautiful garden-like environment for residents, featuring a variety of recreational amenities that promote well-being and encourage both active recreation and social interaction. This design includes a unique aspect: it is situated on a car park roof podium, which required innovative solutions for construction, soil specifications, and plant selection to ensure a thriving and sustainable landscape.

Key Features of the Overall Landscape Design:

• Mature specimen trees were planted at project inception to provide boundary screening for nearby residents.
• An innovative pergola structure over the ramped car park access was designed collaboratively by Austen Landscape Architects and Henry J Lyons architects.
• A bespoke front boundary fencing and signage were designed and specified by Austen Landscape Architects creating a distinct identify for the project site.
• Existing mature trees, particularly along the southern boundary with Airfield, have been safeguarded through the implementation of tree protection methodologies.
• The recreational features encompass a looped walking path that circles the entire site, a well-equipped playground, fitness gym equipment, and outdoor table tennis, offering diverse opportunities for exercise, play, and social interaction.
• The planting design incorporates a diverse array of elements to create a garden-like ambiance and enrich the site’s landscaping. This includes a selection of mature trees, carefully planned woodland areas, and a rain garden. The rain garden serves as a Nature-Based Solution (NBS) to effectively manage and capture surface water drainage, enhancing both environmental sustainability and the overall aesthetic appeal of the site.
• The new site is now home to and features 110 standard trees, which include a variety of native species: 27 Silver Birches, 9 Scots Pines, 14 Whitebeams, and 4 Oaks. In addition to these trees, the site boasts 475 square meters of native woodland planting, enhancing the local ecosystem and contributing to the area’s natural beauty.

Services Portfolio:

Throughout the project, we were commissioned to provide landscape design consultancy services, encompassing public realm design, tender design, and compliance with local authority regulations. Our services included:

• Concept Design
• Development of Design Options
• Planning Permission Design
• Designer’s Risk Assessment
• Detailed Design for Tender and Construction Phases
• Cost Estimation
• Assigned Certifier
• Site Inspections and Work Progress Monitoring
• Reporting and Communication
• Design to Accessibility and Part M Regulations