Getting the right balance with hard landscaping

One of the most important factors to consider with any kind of development is the risk of flooding. It can destroy homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Climate change is also making it an even bigger threat. There are lots of things to think about here, including the choice of building materials and hard landscaping. We want to take a closer look at the latter. Then, if you want some help from passionate architects in London, you can trust us.

The issue

The main problem with hard landscaping is the majority of materials are impermeable. That means water cannot effectively pass through them. Instead, it remains on the surface, pooling or flowing away. If you make mistakes with the choice of material, layout, and installation of paving, patios, and other things, it can lead to flooding.

To put into perspective how serious the problem is, the annual cost of flooding in the UK is around £340m. This includes the money to clean up afterwards and repair properties and infrastructure. Additionally, floods can cause serious damage to the environment, including sea and fresh water pollution. Both can have an impact on wildlife, destroying habitats and degrading the environment.

While it would seem the easy answer is to use less hard landscaping, it isn't that simple. It is essential for creating communities. Without it there wouldn't be roads or pavements and it would be much harder for people to come together. It also plays a key role in aesthetics, making homes and public spaces more attractive.

What to do?

Coffey Residential is a wonderful company to work with because we can find effective ways to deal with different challenges. It makes us one of the best architects in London.

The main thing to do to address the flood risk but still create essential hard landscaping is to think carefully about paving solutions. You need to look at drainage, aesthetics, traffic volume, maintenance, and your budget. Plus, always think carefully about the site layout, including any sloping and the direction that water typically drains.

Where possible you should use permeable materials for hard landscaping. They allow water to soak through instead of remaining on the surface. You can combine them with different systems to collect and manage the water. Most crucially, think about where it will end up. Things like bioretention areas and infiltration basins are great because they can retain water safely away from properties and help the environment.

It is also important to think about design choices with any hard landscaping. You need to focus on aesthetics, accessibility, and inclusivity. Mistakes here can make spaces inaccessible or even dangerous. For example, you shouldn't choose paving patterns that give the impression of an uneven surface or ones that hide functional elements. Ensure everybody, especially people with limited sight or mobility, can get around safely.

Talk it out with top architects in London

Coffey Residential helps clients create their dream high end homes. We look at all the most crucial details, including site specifics and climate. It ensures our designs are fantastic and reduces the risk of issues like flooding. We can consider all of the various options for different parts of the property, such as driveways, patio areas, and more.

So, speak to us and get support from some of the best architects in London. We'd love to hear about your project and what you want to achieve.