European Landscape Architecture: Best Practice in Detailing

France

the Bay of Somme services the initial concept still

stands strong and the design, as built, has changed

little from the competition proposal. This reflects one

of the strengths of the HYL office; their projects are

always worked out in detail from a very early stage.

The close collaboration between the architect and

the landscape architect from the earliest drawings

stage has been important for the result.

Motorway stopping places are rarely designed with

such careful attention, yet they are visited by large

numbers of people, and provide a great opportunity

for landscape architects to show their skills.

The Bay of Somme service station has become a well-

established attraction for the visitors and local popula-

tion. People in the region are very proud of their natu-

ral landscape and the design of this facility promotes

this in an excellent way. A place which could have

been conceived in a narrowly functional way, as only a

place to buy food or petrol, has become a much more

important asset for both travellers and residents.

3.20
Section through the bridge crossing the canal