JDDK Architects - Millmount News Spring Edition 2024 - Magazine - Page 15
Innovative new approaches
Those who have visited us at Millmount recently, will have
seen our reception area adorned with a moss wall that
features real Nordik moss that stays fresh by drawing in
moisture from the air. The wall was kindly installed for us by
Benholm Group, who specialise in delivering plant and 昀氀oral
products and services, including design and installation, to
bring nature and creativity into commercial spaces.
Adrian Byne, Director at Benholm Group explains, “We were
delighted to work on the Millmount refurbishment, and to
share the natural and sustainable beauty of our Nordik
Moss. Benholm share Millmount’s passion for using the
power of plants in innovative ways to both enhance the
aesthetics of indoor spaces, and also the well-being of
everyone who steps through their doors.”
Biophilic principles are applied throughout the scheme,
particularly where houses are carefully designed and
located to make the best of the views onto nature,
including open spaces within the site but also from the site
to the surrounding countryside, showcasing a vast array of
green outlooks. The masterplan even supports the bene昀椀t
of biophilia for residents living in neighbouring streets, as
the new housing designs and layout on the site ensures
that their long distance views over the landscape remain
unaffected.
The layout spreads through the landscape, following
the contours of the land to form tree lined avenues
and footpaths, with interspersed pockets of parkland,
woodland, and wildlife hubs, creating an environment
where people feel the physical and mental bene昀椀ts from
maintaining connections with the natural world.
Watch Otis explore
how the layout of this
housing development
昀椀ts seamlessly within
the landscape
We have been working with Benholm Group to bring
elements of nature into our designs, recently researching
the possibility of bringing Nordik moss walls into healthcare
spaces. The OLED lights give a tactility to the moss that,
whilst the glass encasing means it is easy to wipe, removes
any dust damage to the moss and maintains infection
control within healthcare environments. It’s an exciting
opportunity to be able to bring a little nature into the health
environments and give patients a sense of ease.
Bringing nature into your project
If you are planning for a construction project that is set
within an urban space, you may be looking to understand
how its design can make it stand out as an addition to the
city that improves the wellbeing of those who use and
surround it. The natural world can be incorporated into any
project, and for your development it represents a long-term
commitment to sustainability and the local community.
As Biodiversity Net Gain regulations have come into play,
these considerations will also contribute to meeting these
legislative requirements.
There doesn’t need to be a 昀椀nancial burden with this
approach – integrating nature into a build can be as simple
as taking better consideration of where windows go, or
using a biomorphically shaped reception desk that sets the
tone for guests on entry. The key to success is having a
conversation in the early stages of the process. We like to
start off with blue sky thinking and get everyone outside of
the box and looking to broader possibilities.
Being ambitious in our joined approach to new
developments would help us take small steps towards
better urban life and shape our towns and cities into the
type of spaces we hope our future selves and generations
will enjoy. The built environment in昀氀uences our identities
as individuals and as communities, and making the right
decisions now can lead to invaluable psychological,
physical and environmental bene昀椀ts in years to come.
Watch now
Spring 2024. Millmount. 15