Podium Landscape with Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregates
Load weight and ease of supply in Essex
Designed as a communal and amenity space for residents above a residential development in Romford, this podium landscape has the same demands on the supply of materials as all roof gardens: consideration of load weight, ease of access, tight delivery management and good communication.
The raised planters, beds and surrounding landscape design form the flow and purpose of the community gardens and were an integral part of the project, managed by MCM on behalf of their client Projexone.
Already supplying a wide variety of soils and aggregates across many of their projects, the key consideration factor here was load weight. MCM’s network of supply includes the specialists in Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LWA), Leca, and the client favoured this material in its specification.
The Project
Working closely with Projexone to understand the issues of weight limits and the associated safety issues of supplying at height, MCM underlined the benefits of Leca and arranged the supply of its pneumatic installation. Delivering product in this manner would be quick and clean without any craning or extra manual handling of material. In turn this would mean swift and accurate adherence to the programme, reducing vehicle movements on site and removing any costs of hiring lifting equipment and extra handling.
As the pivotal point between supplier and client, MCM managed the ordering and timings of material deliveries, including the Leca and BS3882 topsoil to finish. Understanding the availability of product and selecting not only the right product but the right supplier, the MCM project team could oversee the process from start to completion, reacting quickly to any programme changes.
The Features
- Residential development in Romford
- Communal roof garden with raised beds, deck and planters
- Close liaison with client, supplier and contractor
- Supply of pneumatically installed Leca and BS3882 topsoil
The Products and Benefits
MCM worked with Leca on their supply of Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LWA) which is:
- Lightweight
- Free-draining
- Durable
- Rot-resistant
Sourced from one of MCM’s local suppliers from their approved supplier network, BS3882 Topsoil was:
- Certified to British Standard
- Supplied and conveyed by belt on site
Liaison with MCM from client to contractor, across a supply and logistics network through a dedicated account manager gave:
- Quick response
- Project clarity and understanding
- Single source for a simpler supply chain
- Expertise and clear communications
- Broad network and availability
The Outcome
- Successful fill of beds, planters and garden features
- Installed at height, at speed
- Minimal disruption for residents and other contractors
- Healthy planting medium for establishment and longevity across the project
The Team Behind the Project
“Leca have been very easy to work with. David understood the complexities of the site, visiting twice with us to ensure everything was running smoothly. Their project team reflected our own clear communication style and ensured the product specification and programme of delivery was accurate and achievable.” – Mick Cavanna, MCM Head of Concrete and Major Projects
