An urban escape for the community and students to shop, walk and meet safely in Starley Gardens at Coventry University

Industry

Contractors

Application

Pedestrian areas, Landscape gardens

Project Type

Planters, Benches, Tables

Materials

Cumaru Timber, Steel

Client Background

Part of the iconic James Starley site within Coventry University’s city centre campus has been transformed into a new and exciting open space.

The £2million scheme, designed by Broadway Malyan, has seen the now demolished James Starley building replaced by new pedestrian areas, landscape gardens and places for residents, students and visitors to enjoy – adding vitality and green spaces into this area of the city centre.

The works have been carried out by specialist landscape contractors NT Killingley.

The Project

Urban Concepts Ltd manufactured the bespoke seating. A major part of this work was value engineering as the project developed and evolved. The seating is a mixture of precision machined environmentally sourced Cumaru timber, built around a steel fabrication structure. The project involved working in collaboration with the contractors NT Killingley to ensure all work was carried out to the relevant design and standard. On time and within budget!

Project Highlights

"Excellent craftsmanship from Urban Concepts - the street furniture combines beauty with function and really adds uniqueness to the gardens"

Danny Crump, Broadway Malyan

Results

Starley Gardens was opened in May 2021, just before lockdown easing happened in the UK and in time for Coventry becoming the UK’s City of Culture.

Described as a “striking open-air urban space,” the area is at the heart of Coventry University’s campus and it is hoped that it will become a venue for cultural events all year round.

"We’re really pleased with the seating, benches and planters that have been installed as part of our work to transform the old James Starley building into an exciting and versatile outdoor space for our students and our communities to enjoy."

Professor John Latham CBE, Coventry University Vice-Chancellor