SGP puts well-being centre of new greenspace at Northamptonshire logistics park

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) worked closely with client Prologis to develop a people-centric concept that changes traditional structural landscaping into a multi-purpose amenity space, aimed at improving well-being and placemaking for park users and the wider local community. The richly planted landscaping and an amphitheatre-style event space is the latest addition to Prologis RFI DIRFT (Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal) – the UK’s largest rail-served logistics park.

Explains Tariq Khan, Studio Director at SGP: “As part of SGP’s on-going work with Prologis at DIRFT, we formulated the concepts for the new landscaping, to support the delivery of Prologis’ PARKlife ideals of creating spaces where business can thrive and nature can flourish. Community and connectivity were core ideas, and Shenley Park is a green space which knits together the DIRFT site with its surroundings.”

Landscape architects Barry Chinn Associates’ thoughtful and beautifully detailed series of paths and planting take the juxtaposition of curves and lines established in SGP’s award-winning “Hub at DIRFT” training centre to create a landscape that is both fluid and dynamic. Whitings, landscape contractor for the park scheme, laid flag paving and banding in shades of cool grey which link back to the buildings and make a subtle background for the richness of the planting as paved, gravel and grass paths meander through the groups of native, seasonal planting. Mature feature trees and a birch copse provide points of emphasis within an undulating swathe, and lines of hedgerows and the conservation of a local bridleway create clear boundaries. Wildflower meadows support biodiversity whilst a hollowed-out depression designed to fill with water in wet periods will add to the habitat diversity.

The stand-out hard landscaping feature is the plaza with its amphitheatre seating which can accommodate up to 100 people. Smaller groups of seating are scattered throughout the space, with a pétanque court for gentle exercise.

Continues Tariq: “Prologis developments have a focus on the well-being of the park community and our design for DIRFT has always included elements that promote relaxation. At Shenley Park, the standard idea of structural planting has been transformed into a vibrant, multi-use community space that offers colours, scents and amenities throughout the year.”