Trinity Gardens

Project Overview

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Waterfront Campus required outdoor social infrastructure that would complement its maritime quarter location whilst providing practical spaces for student use. The brief called for shaded gathering areas that could support both academic and social activities during warmer months.

The Solution

A series of pergola shelters with integrated seating were installed across key locations on the waterfront campus. The structures combine timber with galvanised steel frameworks, creating durable shelters that reference both the industrial heritage of Swansea’s docks and the natural warmth needed for student spaces.

Each pergola features slatted tops that provide dappled shade, with the framework designed to support climbing plants for enhanced coverage over time. Timber planters integrated into the design introduce greenery at multiple levels, softening the structures and supporting the university’s biodiversity commitments.

Key Features

The pergolas create comfortable outdoor spaces during sunny weather, with the slatted design providing immediate shade whilst allowing air circulation. As climbing vegetation establishes, the natural coverage will increase, creating cooler microclimates beneath the structures. The open sides maintain visual connection to the waterfront, making the most of the campus’s maritime setting.

Material selection balanced durability with sustainability. The FSC timber demonstrates responsible procurement whilst providing tactile warmth that encourages use. The steel framework ensures structural longevity with minimal maintenance, important for university estates managing multiple buildings.

Outcomes

Since installation, the pergolas have become popular gathering spots during fair weather. Student feedback highlights the value of these outdoor spaces for wellbeing, providing alternatives to indoor study areas when weather permits.

The structures support the university’s sustainability agenda through responsible material specification whilst creating social infrastructure that enhances campus life. As the plants mature, these spaces will provide increasing environmental benefits through natural cooling and biodiversity support.

Project Details:

• Location: University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Waterfront Campus, Swansea
• Products: Timber and steel pergola shelters with slatted tops, integrated seating and planters
• Materials: Timber, galvanised steel framework
• Purpose: Shaded student social and study spaces for fair weather use