Gunwharf Quays

1 Jun 2016

As part of the regeneration project undertaken at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Townscape was required to provide an effective perimeter security solution to help protect outlets on the waterfront.

The client

Gunwharf Quays is part of a landmark scheme which has completely regenerated Portsmouth. With 95 designer outlets, 30 restaurants, a cinema, comedy club, health and fitness club, casino and bowling complex, Gunwharf Quays is one of the leading waterfront retail and leisure destinations in Europe. 

The brief

Project managers, MFD, approached Townscape to develop a creative perimeter protection solution for the quayside at Gunwharf. They wanted to protect the complex from any hostile vehicle attacks, whilst enhancing the external landscaping of the location.

Another important requirement was the upgrading of the existing cast-iron bollard system, ensuring their heritage marine design was retained.

The installation

Townscape installed five PAS 68 CT Blocks and developed a bespoke hardwood sapele timber surround to encase the CT Blocks so they could be used a planters. As with all CT Block designs, these planters only needed to be recessed into a 100mm deep foundation, significantly reducing any groundwork disruption to the busy location.

To preserve the existing heritage bollard design, Townscape created 35 Performa-Cast™ polymer sleeves, in three different designs, to be fitted onto PAS 68 bollards. 

The results

The bespoke CT Block timber planters tie into the surrounding coastal environment along the quayside and the Performa-Cast™ bollard sleeves were set in identical moulds to the existing heritage designs, creating an exact match to the previous cast iron bollards. The polymer material is ideal in this coastal, high saline environment as it is rust resistant and virtually maintenance free.

The bespoke designs of both hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) systems have completely co-ordinated with the existing furniture theme along the quayside, whilst significantly increasing the security around the location.  

The Insight

“This project is a great example of how both design and security can work together. The quayside at Gunwharf is protected to the highest standard of HVM, whilst the security measures blend into the existing architectural landscape.”

Jonathan Goss, managing director of Townscape Products.