Research

Innovation stems from both an enjoyment of the design process and a willingness to explore new methods and techniques. Our researh activities inform our approach to design, consultation, and construction, and puts us at the forefront of innovative design practice.

Research activities

Urban Green Spaces Task Force: as a steering group member our recommendations resulted in the formation of Cabe Space.
BSRIA’s Centre for Construction Ecology: steering group member. Led to the Revised Code of Environmental Design.
Black Environment Network (BEN): exploring the idea of multi-cultural identification in the design and use of public space.
DfES Exemplar School prototypes: we helped to develop the transformational agenda for Learning Outside the Classroom.
Learning Through Landscapes: we worked closely with Hampshire County Council to establish this national charity promoting the value of school grounds.
Heritage Lottery Fund: We secured a £100,000 research grant to investigate National Curriculum delivery which engenders local sense of place and context.
BSF Parliamentary website: we contributed to sponsorship – setting the transformational agenda within the BSF programme, resulting in us working on three of the six BSF Pathfinder Projects.
Grounds for Optimism: fits in with the DCMS long term plan to bring the built environment of secondary schools back into mainstream thinking on landscape and urban design. We are a pilot scheme partner, working with Testwood Sports College in Southampton to develop innovative outcomes for the school grounds.
Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto: Plincke was the first landscape design practice to sign up. We remain an active member of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

Publications

CABE Client Guide: Achieving Well Designed Schools Through PFI
Building Schools for the Future – The Client Design Advisor, CABE
Better Buildings, Better Design, Better Education, CABE/DfES
Being Involved in School Design: a guide for school communities, local authorities, funders and design and construction teams, CABE
Better Civic Buildings and Public Spaces, CABE
Schools for the Future – Designing Schools for Extended Services, DfES/PfS
Picturing School Design – A visual guide to secondary school buildings and their surroundings using the Design Quality Indicator for Schools, CABE/DfES
An introduction to Building Schools for the Future: 2008 Edition, PfS

Conference Papers

The Heritage of Memorials, Cambridge University 2011
New Perspectives in Landscape Architecture, St. Petersburg 2011