Overview:
The external works for the New City College campus are the result of a detailed study and analysis of the existing site, developed collaboratively by New City College, IBI Group, and specialist consultants in ecology and arboriculture. The landscape strategy is shaped by a shared ambition to create a cohesive campus identity that promotes a sense of place and reflects the college’s core values. The design responds sensitively to the existing buildings and context, ensuring visual and functional integration across the site. Enhancements focus on improving the public forecourt along Ardleigh Green Road and establishing new landscaped spaces within the internal courtyard, fostering a welcoming and inspiring environment for learning and community engagement.

Community Impact & Value:
The proposal places culture, community, and wellbeing at its heart, aiming to enhance daily campus life for students, staff, and visitors. By introducing vibrant gathering spaces, outdoor classrooms, sensory gardens, and productive green areas, the design promotes social interaction, outdoor learning, and mental wellbeing. These new and revitalized spaces transform underused areas into active community assets, fostering a strong sense of belonging and environmental stewardship. The landscape design also strengthens connections between the campus and its surrounding community, improving accessibility and inclusivity through thoughtful public realm enhancements.

Technical Insights & Challenges:
Comprehensive site analysis informed the design, including historical studies, utility and topographical surveys, and ecological assessments. Key challenges included managing existing mature trees, ensuring secure campus boundaries, and addressing unsupervised access points. The design incorporates sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) through planted swales and retention ponds to enhance biodiversity and manage surface water on-site. Technical precision was required to integrate these natural features within an active educational setting, maintaining functionality and safety while enriching habitat quality. The use of no-dig construction techniques protects tree roots, while carefully designed planting schemes promote ecological resilience and seasonal interest.

Key Achievements:
The project established a cohesive, biodiverse landscape strategy informed by the site's heritage and ecological context, creating a distinctive identity across the campus. Enhancements to the public-facing forecourt and internal courtyards strengthened the campus environment, while the integration of sustainable drainage systems delivered both environmental benefits and opportunities for outdoor learning. Neglected and underused areas were transformed into multifunctional green spaces that support biodiversity, wellbeing and everyday campus life. Close collaboration between New City College, IBI Group and specialist consultants ensured a technically robust and coherent design, resulting in a lasting framework for community engagement, outdoor learning and a more connected campus.