Ashford Designer Outlet Expansion, Kent

The Project

Designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership and engineers Buro Happold, the Ashford Designer Outlet originally opened in March 2000, and its popularity has grown ever since, with its 120 stores now attracting over 3.6 million visitors annually. A centre expansion will see further brands accommodated, a new food piazza, dedicated events space and an interactive children’s play area. Many of the new stores are to be clad in tens of thousands of plants that will create Europe’s largest living wall.

A substantial amount of new planting has been added at ground level, confined by low level retaining walls suited for seating, but due to their concrete construction, they can be cold or wet to sit directly on to.