Landscape Design

Aylesbury Square supports both programmed and informal use, with generous public realm, clearly defined routes, and active ground floor frontages. Each function contributes to a shared civic environment where different groups can spend time, meet others, or pass through comfortably.

The landscape strategy responds to the scale and grain of its surroundings, stepping down from taller blocks on Thurlow Street to the neighbouring conservation area. These changes in scale are reflected in planting, surfaces, and spatial organisation, helping to define edges while maintaining openness and visibility throughout the site. New pedestrian routes run through and around the square, improving permeability and reinforcing connections with the wider Aylesbury masterplan and the Walworth area. Landscape is used not only to structure these movements but to create moments to pause, orientate, or gather.

Consultation played a central role in shaping the landscape. Residents, future occupants, and local organisations contributed ideas at every stage. Older people’s groups, for example, influenced the position of seating and shade, while families helped shape access to the nursery and library. This input led to several design features: glazed ground floor reading spaces with views over the square, a display area for local exhibitions, and public realm edges that encourage informal activity. Although not heavily planted, the scheme reflects HTA’s approach to landscape as a social and ecological asset. Material choices are robust and legible, and surfaces are designed for long-term use and easy maintenance. Across the site, the landscape defines how buildings are approached and understood, supporting both civic functions and domestic routines.