Prior Park Dams Project
Heritage
Blending heritage & modern design.
Project Description
The Prior Park Dams Project focused on renovating the historic lakes, updating and restoring dam inlets and outlets, and upgrading footpaths within this National Trust property in Bath. The project was rooted in historical significance, as the Grade I ‘Registered Park and Garden’ was originally designed in the 1700s by local entrepreneur Ralph Allen, with input from the poet Alexander Pope and ‘Capability’ Brown.
At the time of the proposal, the dams were damaged and the lakes were overgrown, obscuring the reflections of the Grade I Listed “Palladian Bridge” – one of only four remaining in the world. The renovation aimed to restore the beauty of the landscape while ensuring it remains accessible for the public’s enjoyment.
Prior Park is renowned for its picturesque gardens that served as pleasure gardens in the past. The project intended to revitalise this historic site, enhancing its aesthetic appeal and preserving its cultural heritage.
Project Description
NPA Visuals was engaged due to our familiarity with the project, enabling us to provide Verified Views and 3D models, enhancing the community and stakeholder engagement process with virtual reality tools.
Key tasks included:
- Preparing visual montages to display design options and their integration into existing views.
- Creating imagery to visualise the expected landscape renovation as Verified Views.
- Developing 3D models of the site, particularly the spillways connecting the two lakes, to provide a clear representation of the project post-construction.
- Generating seasonal variations, including “before and after” images to demonstrate improvements and modifications.
The project involved significant attention to detail, including accurately representing levels, materials, treatment of spillways, and proposed aquatic planting, supported by historical references such as a 1758 sketch by Thomas Robbins.
We faced challenges in creating realistic representations of the landscape. This included generating various options for the inlets and outlets and exploring different stone and grout designs to assess how they would blend harmoniously with the historic context.
Location
- Bath
Client
- National Trust
Collaborators
Nicholas Pearson Associates (NPA)
Prior Park CGI Dam Outlet
Prior Park CGI Cascade
Projects Highlights
Collaboration with the National Trust and the architectural team was key to ensuring that the new structures sensitively integrated into the historic landscape.
One of the highlights of the project included developing a virtual reality (VR) model showcased at Bath Heritage Week, allowing stakeholders and the public, including the mayor, to engage with the project.
Conclusion
Our visual verification models contributed to the project successfully achieving planning approval. Construction was completed, leading to successful additional work with the National Trust on other projects, including a new café pavilion at Prior Park.
The Prior Park Dams Project was recognised at the 2023 Institute of Civil Engineers – South West Civil Engineering Awards, winning both the award for the Best Re-engineered Project under £8 million and the prestigious People’s Choice Award. This acknowledgment highlighted the successful integration of engineering works within a sensitive heritage setting, safeguarding the Grade I Park and Garden for future generations.
The experiences and methodologies employed during the Prior Park Dams Project provide valuable insights for similar heritage-sensitive projects. By combining visual representation with effective stakeholder engagement, other projects can successfully navigate the complexities of integrating modern design with historical landscapes.
