Project Description
Following a design competition held in November 2003, Architects Design Partnership (ADP) were appointed to design a new performing arts, design and technology building for the University of Derby. Located in a semi-rural position at the edge of the city, the new campus has been designed to group together a number of departments into a single building with state-of-the-art facilities. It was hoped that the scheme would build on Derby’s local heritage as a centre of design and innovation – being home to both Rolls Royce and Bombardier – whilst also equipping a future workforce with the best possible skills for the creative industries.
The Challenge
The new building occupied a site that sits on the border between urban form and landscape. On one side was densely packed Victorian terraced housing whilst on the other was bounded by a stream and natural landscape.
Sustainability and low-energy usage were integrated into the design from the outset, resulting in an architecturally innovative building that changed a previously contaminated brownfield site into an ecologically sustainable landmark building. The external landscaping was an important aspect of the sustainable design of the development, and incorporated many SuDS techniques including reed beds, lakes and a porous road pavement solution.
The Solution
ABG Sudspave 40 porous paving is a system of interlocking cellular paving units designed for the stabilisation of trafficked grass or gravel surfaces. Suitable applications include car parks, emergency and maintenance vehicle access roads, cycle paths and pedestrian areas.
ABG Sudspave offers a cost-effective, robust and aesthetically pleasing solution for many applications where gravel retention or grass reinforcement is required and where source-control of surface water forms part of a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) design.
In this application Sudspave was installed over a free draining DOT Type 3 subbase, designed to allow surface water to infiltrate through to the underlying soils. ABG Terrex NW8 filtration and separation geotextile was used to prevent the leaching of fines which could potentially compromise and clog-up the subbase stone. Finally, a gravel bedding layer was installed prior to installation of the Sudspave panels. The Sudspave panels were then infilled with a clean 4-14mm angular gravel to form a free draining surface offering a source control element as part of the SuDS scheme requirements for the site.
The ABG Service
ABG gave technical advice considering surface loading and subsoil conditions to ensure the selection of the most cost effective and workable solution.
Contact ABG today to discuss your project specific requirements and discover how ABG’s past experience and innovative products can help.
