Tobermore: Hard landscaping made easy with Create & Construct

With this in mind, Tobermore has launched Create & Construct, the most comprehensive hard landscaping support hub on the market. Here Lisa Gow, Head of Specification at Tobermore looks at recent projects to see how architects, contractors and groundworkers have used different elements of the service to overcome design, specification and construction challenges.

Bringing ideas to life

Working on a site that contains both new builds and listed buildings adds complexity because hard landscaping materials must be carefully chosen to ensure the scheme feels cohesive. This was the case at The Old Brewery in Salisbury, which saw the construction of a new residential development against a backdrop of listed, 15th century buildings.  

It was important that the paving for pedestrian walkways and resident parking bays aligned with the historic appearance of the location. However, it can be difficult to visualise what products will look like in situ.

Here, the project benefited from the visualisation aspects of Paving & Walling Creator element of Create & Construct. Using a 3D project visual from the architect, Barclay & Phillips, Tobermore presented a selection of paving options for the communal courtyard and paths. This enabled the developer, Derek Warwick Developments, to envision how the hard landscaping could complement the project.

Tobermore’s vintage themed Tegula block paving in Charcoal was chosen as the primary hard landscaping material. The product’s antique appearance helped maintain the historic nature of the location, offering an aged yet traditional style finish. Due to its durability, Tegula was suitable for both the walkways and parking bays. 

Creating valuable space with retaining walls

Sloping sites can be problematic for hospitality operations such as John O'Gaunt Golf Club, which wanted to create a new outdoor seating area beside the clubhouse.

The project architect had specified a single gabion wall to retain the expanded patio area. Keen to look at alternatives, the management team consulted Tobermore’s representatives about the Secura mortarless retaining wall system. As part of the Create & Construct service, Tobermore offers a range of services to support Secura products, ranging from retaining wall design and materials and labour pricing tools through the Secura Portal to toolbox talks on installation best practice.

To address both functionality and visual appeal, Tobermore’s specification team proposed a tiered retaining wall approach using the Secura Grand retaining wall system in Bracken. This created space for a more expansive patio area. For the main patio surface, Mayfair slabs in Silver, along with Sienna Setts in Silver, were recommended, adding a sleek granite aggregate finish that enhanced the overall modern feel of the space.

"Tobermore’s team played a pivotal role, not only transforming the initial concept into a fully realised design but also guiding us through the process,” said Gordon MacLeod, General Manager, John O’Gaunt Golf Club.

Using laying patterns to deliver form and function

Well-designed hard landscaping can help with wayfaring, add character, and create delineated spaces for leisure and socialising. Berkley Group’s The Green Quarter demonstrates how this can be achieved.

One of the UK’s most biodiverse developments, with 50% open green space and parkland, the hard landscaping design at The Green Quarter needed to tie in with the vibrant nature of the area. A functional yet aesthetically pleasing solution was required, ensuring commuter-friendly paving options. 

Tobermore worked closely with architects, Applied Landscape Design and groundworker Kings Landscapes, throughout the design process. They provided complimentary paving visualisations, bespoke sample panels and laying patterns - services which all form part of Create & Construct. 

This provided confidence in the final product selection, and Artro block paving was laid in an interesting five-way colour mix of Heather, Bracken, Autumn, Slate and Carbon in a trendy herringbone pattern. Other pedestrianised zones feature Artro in warm clay-like tones of Heather and Autumn in a stretcher bond laying pattern. Artro’s ability to create unique design patterns by seamlessly blending various colour tones adds originality and personality to the scheme.  

Specifying permeable paving for a SuDS scheme

Climate crisis has increased the intensity and frequency of rainfall in the UK,[1] so to mitigate the risk, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) should be utilised on housing and public realm schemes where possible. Architect and developer firm, Vabel, chose permeable paving for the residential development in Lawrence Road, Seven Sisters, London.

Senior Architect at Vabel, Tommy Devine, explained how the project benefitted from elements of Tobermore’s Create & Construct approach:

“We received excellent support from conception to completion, including expert guidance on SuDS. The ‘Virtual Sample Studio’ was invaluable in reducing the number of physical samples we had to order - a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. The process was inspiring, project-focused, and gave us complete confidence in specifying their products.”

As a result, Tobermore’s Hydropave Braemar & Hydropave Fusion products were selected for their aesthetic and performance characteristics.

As we’ve seen, Create & Construct helps take the hassle out of every stage of a hard landscaping project. It is free to use and combines 20 different services, encompassing everything from easy-to-use online tools to access to Tobermore’s in-house design and technical teams.

Simply visit Create & Construct and move the slider to identify the services you need based on the stage of your project.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/understanding-climate/uk-and-global-extreme-events-heavy-rainfall-and-floods