Fair Field Landscape
MICA have been appointed by London Borough of Croydon to develop a landscape design for a major new public space in the centre of Croydon. Our team's proposals won an international design competition by creating a rich and diverse public realm with public art gateways, a variety of hard and soft landscaped spaces, to positively transform the public realm in central Croydon.Client
London Borough of Croydon
Team Details
Charles Holland Architects
OOZE
Adam Nathaniel Furman
Max Fordham
DHA Designs
engineers HRW
Gardiner & Theobald
Wasser Werkstatt
A metropolitan meadow for Croydon
Our proposals create a rich and diverse public realm, which address the newly refurbished Fairfield Halls and Croydon College, provide defined central spaces and complete a much-needed diagonal pedestrian route across the Fair Field towards East Croydon Station.
At its centre is a large circular space is defined by lush planting and trees. When wet, the shallow disc provides a naturally filtered water mirror reflecting the evolving skyline of Croydon. When dry, the space forms a multi-purpose amphitheatre for events, markets and concerts. An adjacent circular grass lawn provides a soft counterpoint, with opportunities for relaxation and informal play.
Public art gateways welcome and orientate visitors arriving from all directions, signalling routes across the site.
The scheme is unified by a super-sized striped landscaped surface, inset with Croydon Terrazzo together with a generous red entrance ‘carpet’ for Fairfield Halls.
“Very Innovative & Very Croydon”
Jo Negrini, Chief Executive, Croydon Council: “MICA’s winning concept designs are very innovative and very Croydon.”
She added: “The concepts refer to Croydon’s built heritage and will also reflect the evolution of the town centre. We hope the final designs will be just as exciting, providing a welcoming destination for the thousands of people who live, work in and visit the town centre to enjoy.”
Stuart Cade, Director at MICA: “The brief, context and ambition for the new space is unique and our group is relishing the opportunity to co-produce a high quality and diverse urban landscape for Croydon.”
