Longest green wall in Europe

Designed by architect: Chapman Taylor

Landscape architect: Applied Landscape Design

Living wall company: Biotecture

From the architects:

Reflecting Kent’s status as “the Garden of England”, the living green wall of tens of thousands of vertically stacked plants that clads the centre is the largest living wall in Europe – greeting affluent long-haul tourists from Europe and beyond as well as day-out shoppers to the shopping, dining and relaxing complex.

The Ashford Designer Outlet extension, designed by Chapman Taylor’s London studio alongside Applied Landscape Design, and delivered by Chapman Taylor’s Bristol studio in conjunction with main contractor McLaren, adds 46 retail, leisure and F&B units to the 80 already operating. The expansion also includes a new events space and a children’s play area.

The canopy roof on the existing building was modified to tie the new area in visually. A net 324 extra parking spaces have been created to serve the development, while links to Ashford town centre are being improved to facilitate the whole scheme.

The, large and attractive public realm element to the scheme, was designed by Chapman Taylor, who along with ALD and Biotecture, helped to implement the living wall cladding system and retail environment.

The extension project was an opportunity to revamp the whole retail experience and to create a flagship designer outlet centre for the UK – a goal that has been fully achieved.

ALD has also been involved in production of the wider landscape masterplan, improving connections from the outlet to the wider community including the train station and town centre so as many people can benefit from the scheme as feasible. 

Chapman Taylor’s shell and core design and delivery for the extension has achieved BREEAM Very Good certification for sustainability.

Story by: Trendsideas