Southampton Hospital Public Piazza
RPS was appointed as lead consultant and contract administrator for the design of a new civic piazza at the heart of the hospital campus. Accommodating potentially conflicting uses against a background of extremes of pedestrian movement, vehicle circulation and cycle traffic was key to the schemes success. The solution provides a multi-functional retreat at the heart of the campus available for use 24/7.
The centrepiece of the scheme is a sunken lawn punctuated by a range of spheres of varying sizes in stainless steel, re-constituted stone and acrylic (light units). The space is bounded by south facing steps, clipped hedges and fastigiate trees. Pedestrian circulation is reinforced by sweeping paths which guide pedestrian traffic and reinforce the geometry of the space when viewed from above.
