Aberdeen City Council sought a sympathetic regeneration plan for Union Terrace Gardens, a historical green space in Aberdeen’s city centre with a long history of community use. It wanted to honour the gardens’ heritage while transforming the site into a vibrant and accessible public area. 

Collaborating with landscape architects LDA Design and latterly Stallan-Brand, we developed a comprehensive vision which included a new 80-metre-long footbridge, viewing platforms, an enhancement of the natural amphitheatre and three new pavilions. Additionally, we added safety-focused lighting features.  

The project’s significance lies in restoring community access to this 2.5-acre site. Reopening after a £28 million redevelopment in late 2022, Union Terrace Gardens now serves as a gathering place where history meets contemporary design - a testament to thoughtful urban regeneration.     

Building on Aberdeen’s heritage   

We have been a part of the project since 2016, helping to define the new vision for the gardens, developing concepts for their new structures, and exploring possibilities to reuse existing buildings on the site.    

The existing male toilet building - which was previously disused - has been restored and repurposed into an event space that retains its historical features. Similarly, the arcade of arches beneath Union Terrace was strengthened while maintaining its historical appearance.

A vision for energy efficiency   

Our team proposed a low energy services strategy based upon an all-electric environmental conditioning solution, reducing CO2 consumption by using heat pumps. Other energy efficiency measures include LED low energy lighting and controls, high -performance heat recovery in the central plant and high-efficiency drives on all motors.   

Through the anticipated continued decarbonisation of the national electricity grid over the coming years, it is expected that CO2 emissions of the development will also decrease from the current calculated level, assuming all other factors remain unchanged. 

Night time view of Union Terrace Garden

The previously disused male toilet building has been restored and repurposed into an event space that retains its historical features.

Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen

By upgrading staircases and paths to meet modern standards, we were able to ensure minimal maintenance for the foreseeable future, making the gardens safe and accessible for everyone. 

Union Terrace Gardens now serves as a gathering place where history meets contemporary design - a testament to thoughtful urban regeneration.   

Creating a safe, accessible, and illuminated space  

Our commitment to creating a safe and accessible space has led to significant improvements in the park’s infrastructure. We’ve addressed the poor lighting and accessibility issues that previously made areas of the park unsafe and difficult for visitors with reduced mobility. By upgrading staircases and paths to meet modern standards, we were able to ensure minimal maintenance for the foreseeable future, making the gardens safe and accessible for everyone.  

In parallel, we’ve enhanced the visitor experience with our innovative lighting design. Our bespoke lighting control system ensures that key routes and event spaces are well-lit around the clock, improving both access and safety. Meanwhile, secondary areas enjoy low-level feature lighting that minimises power consumption while fostering a wildlife-friendly environment. The halo above the gardens now serves as a warm, visually appealing beacon for Aberdeen and its visitors, creating an inviting public realm. 

Awards

    • Gold Award for Best Lighting at the Scottish Design Awards 2023 
    • Placemaking Award at the Scottish Civil Engineering Awards 2023