We have considered the experiences of inhabitation, looking down, looking up and looking out in such a place. The landscape approach actively promotes urban ecology and sustainability, while attenuating rainfall run off, with practically every roof intensively planted, and by the re-use of granite cladding from the demolished building as paving in the sunken courtyards. There are many roof-gardens, some brown roofs, some planted but inaccessible, while others are great workplace resources, making airy elevated gardens with terrific panoramas.

Roof spaces are also fully utilised, being used as roof gardens for entertaining, staff functions and informal gatherings on floors five and six, while wildlife friendly brown roofs are deployed on all floor seven areas. Beehives are installed on floor six and are active on the nectar rich upper terraces.

Technical and plant cultural requirements are satisfied, with variations in growing microclimate through the different levels addressed, the effects of wind, rain, façade run off and direct sunlight and exposure on roofs and roof-gardens addressed and then through the levels of the building to the calm, sometimes shaded, sheltered realm to be found in sunken courtyards.

The public realm is repaved on Fitzwilliam St Lower, with large but low-key granite flags. At James St East a medley of stone paving on the carriageway and footpath, new planting, lights and a new art work and water-feature of great subtlety make a city space.