WUC well-being & Health Project

Writtle University College, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex

Landscape design based on " land-use and green infrastructure"

Project site

The project " WUC well-being & health" suggests potential solutions and visions of the estates of Writtle University College (WUC), which open up its estates to complement its academic growth in both further students and the WUC community into health and well-being and outdoor exercise.

The project is built on the theme ‘ Land use, and green infrastructure of the WUC’. The main goal for this project is to enhance the nature experience and community

cohesion for health and well-being with improved land use and green infrastructure on-site.

Project site

The estates of WUC are divided into arable areas, sport areas, fields, and orchard areas. The estate is currently used for academic purposes such as practical horticulture and equine lectures, and is also popular by people living around the WUC as the estate has a massive walk along with the reservoir on-site.

The design site for the project is located behind students' residential halls, and the land is not currently designated for an as specific purpose.

In terms of the green infrastructure on the site, the tree corridors are placed along the edge of the design area. Whilst, the design site currently supports diverse fauna and flora such as hedgehog, fox, birds and badger, it relatively indicates fragmented tree corridors rather than robust tree covers.
The meadow area is placed right behind residential halls, and the flowers bloom in spring and summer.

Design approach & development

Strategy

Strategy

Master plan

Main Circulation

Sub-circulation

An outdoor barbecue is designed for the WUC to give the experience of enjoying a meal within nature as its location is enclosed by trees, so people can feel to be one with nature.

Pebble zone is place for

social gathering and recreation. The idea has sparked from the pebbles, and the five individual spaces represents a cluster of pebbles which implies community cohesion for WUC.

Viewing mounds are place for nature appreciation. This space especially maximise strengths of the WUC's landscape, which mesmerize people with beautiful sunset. Each mound has different heights, so diverse slopes give a dynamic experience.

All-pervading tranquility is

designed for meditation and nature immersion. The two distinctive landscape features: cherry blossom trees and small crescent mounds create a unique atmosphere, providing tranquility within nature.