SDA acted as consultant landscape architect on the integration of additional office and research accommodation into the fabric of the existing site masterplan and detail design of new open space to provide a visual and physical amenity for the ICON staff.

A sequence of three courtyards contained along the north, east and west sides by 5 storey office buildings gradually open up to a linear garden of lush flowering perennials, bringing this area to life with colour, movement and wildlife. Defined by a wave form of rolled stainless steel the landscape responds to the four ship-like office buildings that protrude south from the glazed circulation atrium, establishing a dialogue between building and landscape.

Reflective stainless steel light pillars re-enforce the planter’s wave like form as a counterpoint to the rhythmic order of overlapping linear forms emerging from the narrow courtyards.

Long wooden benches extend south from within the courtyards to capture the evening sun. A number of smaller granite-clad benches occupy the southern end of each courtyard as the space opens up to the perennial plantings, forming a connection between the reflection pools, wooden benches and wave form planter.

Semicircular stainless steel planters ground the ends of the office blocks within a bed of flowering perennials. Reflections of the office buildings, planting and sky are captured within circular reflection pools offset to the southern side of these planters.

The ornamental grasses Stipa gigantea and Calamagrostis act as a semi transparent veil subdividing internal office space from courtyard and in turn courtyard from car park. Free standing River Birch trees provide accents along the sinuous planter to screen higher level views of the car park and access road.