EDINBURGH AIRPORT INTERCHANGE
A large scale landscape project that involved designing a series of wall features to work in combination with soft landscaping to create an interesting and attractive environment to a site that is a main gateway into Scotland.
view of south roundabout showing terraced layout to walls
The walls are situated around the site; on the two roundabouts either side of a flyover, and on the main approaches to the interchange. Laid-out in a series of 'star/flower' shaped areas, conceptually it was hoped that with the use of traditional materials and plants the landscape would suggest to the viewer a feeling of 'Scottishness'.
sketch of roundabout showing wall layout
The walls are constructed to have a dry-stone (field dyke/wall) effect. In the coursing of the walls is a pattern. This was to add interest and emphasise the feeling of movement around the site. Centrally within the bays of the walls the coursing becomes a 'herringbone' pattern.
detail of wall showing 'herringbone' pattern
I was appointed through Dundee Public Arts Programme & Lothian & Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd (LEEL), to work with the Landscape consultants Turnbull Jeffries to produce a scheme for the site. Working closely with Keith Horner of TJ. we designed the proposals over a period of weeks.
sketch showing proposed
coursing
I remember the initial telephone call to ask if I was interested, " some roundabout near Edinburgh Airport" I was told, expecting maybe a small mini roundabout. And then being blown-over at the first site visit realising the true scale of the project.
The
walling work was undertaken between Nov 92-April 93. Prior to
Christmas 92 I employed mason Duncan Strachan to work alongside
me. After that time he decided that this project wasn't for him,
something to do with the weather I think - that period being the
wettest on record!
This left me in a crisis, a tight deadline with no help!! After a
few false starts, (one mason only staying for 15mins) I found, to
my relief, a dyker who was what I was after - he walked onto the
site and told me " I could build better than that".
Stuart Amos my saviour !
This
project has won a BALI Landscaping Award and
is also part of the work for which I have received a
Pinnacle Award from the Dry Stone Walling Association
of Great Britain.