The public realm landscape of 1 & 2 New Ludgate aims to tie the new development seamlessly to the surrounding urban fabric and character. The landscape detail and finishes reinforces this seamless transition and facilitates the use of the new public space on a tight urban site. A new Piazzetta marks the entrance to a passageway linking OId Bailey with Limeburner Lane. Many similar passageways are hidden in the City of London and create wonderful shortcuts. This new route marks a transition from the traditional City of London yorkstone to an unexpected dark granite. The complex pattern interplays light and dark, constantly evolving across its length and evoking the appearance of old Victorian tiling with a contemporary language that creates a unique character for this development
A mature Liriodendron Tulipifera creates a new focal point in the centre of the Piazzetta, framing the view along the passageway, and visible along the length of Old Bailey. Surrounded by solid granite seating, extrusions of the paving pattern, the design draws people into the Piazzetta, with its cafes and shops. Considered placement of street furniture and trees, increases the sense of space surrounding the buildings, and creates a meaningful place to meet and gather in the City.
The development’s fifth floor roof terrace basks in day-long sunlight throughout the year. A sinuous white corian bench provides generous seating for the stone paved terrace. Its form wraps around the edges of the terrace, growing in height and allowing ample soil depth for the intensive planting scheme. The gently undulating landform is planted with seasonal perennials, providing a natural boundary to the spectacular views of St Pauls and London beyond. Vibrant seasonal colours and interesting structural plant characteristics during winter time provide a year round visual interest.