As a landscape designer, I'm interested in the design of public urban spaces..
I think St Andrew's Square in Edinburgh is a really successful design.
The circular cafe,
seen here from the inside looking out, is simple, smart and functional (and serves good coffee).
The seating is perhaps not particularly comfortable, but for a quick perch with your lunchtime sandwich is fine, and on a dry day people sit on the grass. I like the integral lighting in the slits between the blocks, and the quality materials will stay looking good for a very long time.
They have kept lots of mature trees as well as planting many new ones. Blossom in spring, shade in summer and habitat for wildlife.
Differential mowing (grass at different heights) gives visual variety and texture, allows insect habitat and wild flowers and bulbs, and reduces maintenance costs..
St Andrew's Square is in the Georgian part of town and although it doesn't refer directly to the architecture (there are buildings from many periods around the square) I think it has a simplicity and elegance of proportion that is appropriate...
What do you think?
He likes it!
And you can tell I do, because I'm not finished yet...
There are some nice details..
They are having some trouble maintaining the grass edges, but look at the neat way the drain cover has been incorporated....
It's a pity the same designer wasn't commissioned to design litter bins
All in all, elegant, simple, functional and green! You can't ask much more than that.
Whew! Long post!