Romorantin Place, Long Eaton
Replacing the 1960s fountain on the frontage of this residential area, the challenge for KDA was to carefully reflect the area’s heritage with planting, focal point, access and flow.
The eye-catching obelisk, designed by David Keary and made from corten steel stands at 6 metres as the centrepoint of the gardens. With nods to lacemaking and the motor industry, important in the local heritage and twinned French town Romorantin, the swirls and spikes of the design are intertwined with watery flourishes, paying homage to the original fountain it replaces. Laser cut to reveal an acrylic inner lining, the feature is illuminated with changing colours at dusk.
Planting around the obelisk includes 4 clipped yew pyramids mimic the obelisk and a mix of herbaceous and grasses extends across to the low lying roses on the periphery.
Alongside the gated courtyard, marked by powder-coated signage to match the obelisk, the Cornus Winter Beauty extends the theme further, with surrounding metalwork highlighting the stainless steel elements within the feature.
Gabion stone basket retaining walls add an industrial yet rustic element to replace concrete steps and walls and to act as a root barrier around the established plane tree. Dwarf conifers, grasses and Japanese maples add form, foliage and texture interest.
The obelisk sits front and centre to the main entrance, forming an integral part of the geometry of the design. A circular seating area forms at the centre of converging paths in a clever blend of concrete pavers, cobbles and resin bound gravel.
Tree lines emphasise the ground patterns and connect to access points across the courtyard. Angular beds, edged with dwarf berberis and a mix of herbaceous species are punctuated with phormiums for structure and visual impact.
