P1 were appointed contractor for the installation and maintenance of the hard and soft landscaping to 28 courtyards within the new hospital at Larbert near Falkirk.
Each courtyard had similar design approaches with both using high quality concrete flags for the paving and granite chips for the perimeter access route for maintenance machinery.
While the hard landscape had similarities, each courtyard’s planting regimes had to be considered depending on light quality and wind speeds. There were also courtyards within the mental health unit which were designed with five ergonomically designed raised beds which allowed residents to grow their own plants.
We overcame the difficulties of loading the courtyards through careful planning with Laing O’Rourke who permitted us to install the basic infrastructure up to finished slab and topsoil level to the courtyards well in advance. This meant we could gain access with larger plant through a purposely left gap in the building’s construction. This was both effective in reducing cost and meant we would not have to close corridors in the building which would have prevented other trades from working. It also removed the risk of collision while in the building.
We maintained the hospital while fully operational for 12 months, having to pay particular attention to cleanliness while transporting tools and materials around the building. This was achieved by monitoring the weather to ensure it would not be too wet and providing operatives with covers for their feet and tools. Due to the high density of herbaceous perennials, chemicals had to ruled out in favour of culturally controlling the weeds. Thich was very beneficial for the plants and provided excellent results, as evidenced by almost complete canopy closure after 12 months.