Walsall Arboretum, Walsall

Working with Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, the practice undertook a full scope of services for works at the historic Walsall Arboretum close to the centre of Walsall. The project was part HLF funded and was split into three phases:

• Phase 1: Repair works to historic structures.
• Phase 2: Landscaping works, including works to boundary walls & bridges.
• Phase 3: Construction of a new visitor centre.

Phase 1 – Repair works to historic structures.
The historic core of the park includes some characteristic buildings and structures such as the Arboretum clock tower, the boathouse, bandstand and the former tea pavilion. Restoration works were detailed and carried out so to recreate the splendour of Edwardian times, removing unsympathetic and inappropriate later additions, and giving new settings and purpose to decaying facilities and features.

Phase 2 – Landscaping works.
Extensive landscaping proposals were delivered as part of Phase 2, which looked to reshape and enhance the already popular setting. Whilst the main landscaping proposals were proposed by a landscape architect, the practice detailed all repair works to the existing boundary walls, railings and the numerous bridges located around the site which also formed part of the project.

Phase 3 – New visitor centre.
The £2million visitor centre located in the centre green area of the arboretum formed the final phase of works. The practice originally undertook the design and detailed proposals before being novated to Wilmott Dixon during the construction phase. Modern facilities include a café complete with kitchen, reception, meeting rooms, education room, changing rooms & public toilets. The project won a LABC Built in Quality award for best build within the Community sector category.