Strata Design landscape architects is delighted to be working with ep projects on World of Water, a 10m nature-based redevelopment on the fringes of historic Romsey. In collaboration with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the project will see a former aquatic nursery turn into a site of significant ecological value. The development has been shortlisted in the Landscape Institute Awards 2022 Building with Nature category.
Adopting biophilic principles, the 21,463 sq. ft sustainably-built visitor, retail and community buildings will integrate seamlessly into natural surroundings, enhancing health and wellbeing and supporting biodiversity.
Landscape elements for the 4.2 acre site include swales, rain gardens, wildflower meadows, vegetated parking surfaces, native species shrub and tree planting, green roofs and facade greening. Ecology and biodiversity improvements include micro-habitats, an artificial otter holt, bat and bird nesting boxes and a sand martin bank.
Wildlife interactions for World of Water visitors will be enhanced with a three-storey sculptural bird hide reached via a 100-metre raised walkway over Fishlake Stream.
Architect: ep projects
Collaborators: Building with Nature, Arcadian Ecology, AKS Ward
Client: Azure One
Contractors: N/A
Photographs/visuals: Strata Design
Awards: Shortlisted in the Landscape Institute Awards 2022 Building with Nature category.
