Fontenoy Street Square, Public Realm Landscape works

Ainsley Gommon was appointed by Liverpool John Moores University to develop a landscape proposal for a derelict and under-utilised site in the centre of Liverpool. The site was bounded by extensive road and flyover networks. The scheme was required to provide:

• Access to the adjacent university buildings from Liverpool Lime Street station and the city
• A variety of seating for the students
• An extension of the neighbouring indoor spaces, by formation of an outdoor room
• The location of two sculptures, the Palanzana and the Henry Cotton Sculpture, the former had been relocated from the Liverpool Garden Festival site.

Ainsley Gommon assisted the clients in the finalisation of the brief, including, design and consideration of alternative development options. The project was carried out as a Partnering Contract and the landscaping contractor was brought on board early in the process. Working through the problems together with the partnering team at design development stage lead to solutions that not only saved on costs but also kept the project running to programme.

The selection of hard surface materials, bespoke street furniture and new tree planting creates a special external space associated to the surrounding university buildings, nestled within a network of busy city streets.

Since the completion of this project AG|A has undertaken a commission for the LJMU sports science extension over looking the square.