Gillespies delivers a new public realm as part of the extensive regeneration of Bracknell Town Centre

Landscape Architects Gillespies have delivered a significant public realm together with a series of contemporary green landscaped spaces for The Lexicon Bracknell, a new flagship retail and leisure destination in the heart of Bracknell.

Designed by BDP and Chapman Taylor for Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, a joint venture between Legal & General Capital and Schroder UK Real Estate Fund, along with Bracknell Forest Council, The Lexicon is a contemporary shopping and leisure destination offering a rich mix of high-quality shops, restaurants and green landscapes spaces, set within a pedestrian-friendly environment.

The success of the regeneration of Bracknell relies largely on a well-designed public realm, and in particular the improvement of permeability and connectivity between the existing Princess Square and the new development. Gillespies were commissioned by the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, a 50:50 joint venture between Legal & General Capital and Schroder UK Real Estate Fund together with Bracknell Forest Council, to radically reconfigure and regenerate the dated townscape into a vibrant, welcoming environment.

Gillespies’ designs consist of a network of high-quality interconnected open and closed pedestrian-friendly streets and new and improved gateways to the town centre, as well as a series of green landscaped town squares. The town squares are distinct from the streets, offering ample seating opportunities to encourage visitors to gather, relax and socialise, together with enough space to accommodate organised events.

A unified palette of materials, at the forefront of contemporary design, have been carefully selected to transform the town centre. The streets are enhanced through high-quality natural stone paving, planting and street furniture, and are lined with semi-mature trees.

Gillespies collaborated with local artist Kerry Lemon, to incorporate art into the public realm. Kerry’s collection of bespoke nature-inspired brass artworks and light projections add an element of interest and drama to the public realm, as well as establishing a unique sense of place.

New street lighting and signage completes the improvements, creating a relaxed daytime environment and a safe, vibrant and picturesque experience at night.

One of the UK’s largest urban regeneration schemes to open this year, The Lexicon Bracknell, a £240 million retail and leisure town centre transformation in Berkshire, has created a new retail and social heart for the town and East Berkshire.

Some £768 million is being invested in the regeneration of Bracknell Forest borough, encompassing the town centre and neighbouring areas. The regenerated town centre now consists of one million square feet of retail, casual dining and leisure, including the existing Princess Square shopping centre.

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Project Team:

Client: Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, a joint venture between Legal & General Capital and Schroder UK Real Estate Fund, along with Bracknell Forest Council

Landscape Architect: Gillespies

Masterplanner & Architect: BDP

Executive Architect: Chapman Taylor

Main Contractor: Mace

Public Art Management: Artscape Management

Public Art Design: Kerry Lemon

Photography: John Sturrock/Gillespies