Design process
The Duke of York's headquarters site became available to Cadogan Estate following a strategic review by the MOD. Due to their long-term property interests in the area and perceived expertise in similar developments. Cadogan were offered the site as preferred purchasers subject to them obtaining planning permission to redevelop the site within a year.
Paul Davis and Partners who had worked with Cadogan over a number of years were invited to undertake a feasibility and masterplan study of the site in 1998. The retention of existing buildings and of the overall 'campus' feel was seen as a priority, as was the need to open up the previously inaccessible areas behind King's Road and create links between the new spaces and the road itself. An application for Phase 1 of the works, plus a site wide masterplan and extensive design report, was submitted to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in June 1999 and was granted permission just five months later in December.
Elizabeth Banks Associates (EBA) were commissioned in January 2000, following a limited design competition, to prepare a landscape masterplan and detailed design of the hard and soft landscape. The design for Duke of York Square changed very little form the initial design competition entry, but specific constraints and opportunities presented a number of challenges to the design team. One of the main considerations was how to maintain the pedestrian character of the space, while allowing the space to be accessed by lorries and other vehicles to service the various elements of the development. EBA worked closely with JMP Consultants, the traffic engineers, to resolve this. York stone paving was selected to match with the existing footway along the King's Road thus providing visual continuity of pedestrian surfaces. This had to be laboratory tested for it's strength and ability to be cleaned and was laid above a reinforced concrete slab in order to support heavy vehicle access. Expansion joints in the slab were extended up into the paving and so had to be located so as not to be visually intrusive on the surface.
Droppable stainless steel bollards were located at the vehicular access point off King's Road, and routes through the space subtly defined by the arrangement of the low walls and strips of paving. No permanently fixed furnishings were installed in the retail court to allow vehicles to freely move through the space. Timber benches and bespoke movable stainless steel planters (on wheels) can be moved into and out of the space at different times of the day. To further avoid conflict; servicing is strictly controlled to certain low use times of the day.
Additional constraints included the need to incorporate up to 200 service access covers dotted throughout the site. Bespoke stainless steel recessed access cover frames were designed, and their exact locations and orientation co-ordinated to align them with the paving grid.
Opportunities presented to the design team included the site's rich history. This was referred to through the introduction of artwork within the hard landscape and was respected through the retention of existing trees and enhancement of important views. Consultation was had with English Heritage over this matter and in particular with regard to clear views from the public square through to the main Military Asylum building. Regular meetings were also held with the planning authority, disability officers, the police and the local residents' groups/businesses throughout the design and construction process.
The design process for EBA lasted approximately 24 months with the works being tendered competitively and implemented under a management contract. The works were effectively implemented under two separate contractors with the majority of the works carried out by Laing, with Walter Lilly implementing the reminder of the scheme around the Queripel building. Works started on site in January 2002 and were completed in April 2003.
A full maintenance plan was prepared by EBA and this forms the basis of the management and maintenance regimes undertaken by the full-time facility manager.
