Odyssey Business Park

Dynamic landscaping adding value to a prestigious business location

The vision

Odyssey Business Park in Ruislip, West London, underwent a multi-million pound external and internal refurbishment following purchase by a new owner.  The Garden Company was commissioned to design and implement extensive high-quality landscaping, in keeping with the prestigious office buildings.  Our project was a key part of the package to modernise the Park and boost its appeal to new business tenants.

Our insight

We quickly identified that the location needed a bold, exciting solution, which not only functioned well but was also aesthetically pleasing from both inside and outside the offices. Business parks often have simple planting palettes, with plants chosen for their tolerance and low-maintenance requirements. Instead, we elected to celebrate the changes of seasons with year-round colour changes and interest.

The transformation

Our design concept was to create organic shaped lawns and sinuous, curved pebble areas which contrasted dramatically with the modern rectilinear buildings.

We used a dynamic planting palette incorporating large drifts of robust herbaceous plants and grasses. This softened the buildings while following their underlying geometry. Screens of grasses and prairie type species were used to break up parking areas, border walkways and diffuse the views from office windows across to parked cars.

We retained some existing mature trees which added height, structure and further visual interest to the scheme.

The Business Park is now a prestigious London address for a number of well-known companies, including the BBC, NEC Europe and Yakult GB.  Its tenants benefit every day from the well-thought-out green spaces surrounding their offices.  In addition, a landlord-funded project to encourage a sense of community runs a host of social events including outdoor games, exercise classes and picnics.

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