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Result
From the start, Pete took into account this was fundamentally a community project and welcomed input from those likely to be using it. The end result reflects that contribution and helps to identify this as a facility for the local inhabitants. The fact that the paving is porous means that the Walkway will never have problems with standing water.
The Walkway has become more than just functional and decorative, as those using both the Medical and Community Centres can often be seen trying to identify their own footprint, which confirms the original brief has been met successfully.
Pete Codling says:
"I have used SureSet products before and and could see the system would lend itself to these applications. Dramatic effects can be achieved within the extensive range of raw materials and the fact that it is a cold lay system made it ideal for use whilst other activity had to continue on the site. The final result is exactly as envisaged and matches the original concept perfectly." |
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The over-all theme depicts the area's history and its long association with the sea. One innovation is an eye-catching walkway which links the centre with an adjacent Medical Centre. It incorporates images of fish combined with 250 footprints taken from traces provided by users of the two Centres.
Background
The Community Centre is part of a much larger redevelopment of the area, undertaken by a partnership between the Portsea Action Group and The Community Trust. The building itself was designed by Capita Symonds, and Pete Codling, landscape and sculpture artist, worked in collaboration with their landscape artist.
Situation
Whiel the overall theme for the Community Centre was the area's history and its associations with the sea, another part of the Brief from Portsmouth City Council included 'healthy living and well being'. This concept had to be part of the visual interpretation prepared by Pete Codling as part of his landscaping designs. |
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Why SureSet?
Having worked with SureSet resin paving on previous projects, Pete was confident their wide range of materials and finishes would provide the desired results and as they were resin bound, there would be no problems with loose or crumbling surfaces.
Pete Codling had specified SureSet for other notable projects, including the award-winning Arundel Street precinct, also in Portsmouth, where blue and mixed buff finishes are used to represent the flow of water through the original but now defunct canal basin.
Solution
For the 'beach effect' background Pete specified a gravel mix, with the fish and footprints being created from atlantic blue, pacific blue and clear frost recycled glass. The same 'beach effect' finish allows the theme to be extended to outside seating as well.
A major design feature within the Community Centre's reception area is based on Pete's interpretation of a slipway leading down to the sea and incorporates large boulders and small pebbles, graduated in size as would be in reality. SureSet's silver pearl mix in sizes ranging from 10mm to 3mm was used to give the right effect.
In a separate exercise Pete also used a SureSet blue glass finish to create a feeling of puddles around the site's tree bases. |
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