Our Vision for West Hendon Playing Fields

Congratulations to the teams of Southern Green, LDA and Ove Arup for getting shortlisted for the design competition for reimagining West Hendon Playing Fields and progressing to Stage 2. The two-stage design contest was launched by London Borough of Barnet Council in partnership with the Landscape Institute to improve and transform the playing fields to an exemplary destination park.

Pick Everard’s multi-disciplinary team joined forces with FPCR to develop an innovative and sustainable design concept for a significant public open space for London Borough of Barnet. Our proposals celebrate the connection between nature, people and architecture through four overarching themes: climate change resilience, health and wellbeing, inclusivity and accessibility and biodiversity. The vision was a new family friendly destination space for the community and visitors alike as well as an educational resource for school groups whilst creating and reinforcing links throughout the park, increasing footfall and consequently natural surveillance. Whilst primarily a sporting resource we were also promoting sustainable growing practices, workshops and community involvement.

We have prioritised active, sustainable transport modes through legible and clearly defined pedestrian and cycle network. Our designers have embraced and made the most of the site’s unique setting, biodiversity and mature trees and woodlands by bringing selected activities into the woods like sensory trails and high rope courses.

Our architects designed a state-of-the-art net zero carbon gateway building, a new community sports hub, using sustainable materials like timber and weathered steel – with green roofs and minimal operational costs, nestled into the landscape. The building includes multi-use activity studios, a nursery, community rooms, bowls club and a tower with indoor climbing area and an engaging and accessible viewing platform for users to experience the nearby wildlife habitats of Brent Reservoir. A separate café provides an additional meeting point and offer opportunity for community integration with the wider park functions which includes adventure golf, a series of play areas, skateboard and BMX facilities, community orchards, gardens and sculpture park.

We have applied a climate proofing approach to both our proposed buildings and landscape through sustainable drainage design, greywater management, robust materials, ecological enhancement and climate adaptable planting.