Silver Hill Renaissance - TrustNews June 2006
In the last issue Huw Thomas explained why he is opposed to the Thornfield proposals. In this issue Keith Leaman, another architect member of the Trust Council, gives his views.
Everyone agrees that this run-down area of the city centre – about two and a half times that of the Brooks Centre – is in need of redevelopment. Besides the quality of the architecture, there are many ingredients which are necessary for a successful outcome: the spaces, the right mix of uses, the way it relates to the rest of the town, and the economics that, by attracting companies to take on the buildings, give the developer the confidence to invest in a quality scheme and not take short cuts to save money.
It is always difficult to be totally confident about a scheme from the drawings alone, even with the benefit of the computer visualisation techniques that are now available, so it can be helpful to ask the following questions when evaluating a project:
1. Is the project likely to produce a sense of place and community
Part of the challenge for the designers is to consider the surrounding characteristics and create a new but related environment by taking these things as their pallet. If the resulting mix is successful a strong sense of community will naturally follow. There is an ‘Art of Relationship’ just as there is an ‘Art of Architecture’. Spaces, squares and streets that make up an urban environment are just as important, if not more so, than the buildings themselves. In this scheme these aspects have been very successfully addressed, the quality of the architecture is also well considered and there is recognition that the spaces between buildings are vital to the health of the whole concept. It remains to be seen whether the project will generate that elusive touch of magic.
2. How does the complex affect the wider community; what does it do for Winchester?
A good development generally has ‘spin off’ (and this is the avowed intent of this developer), not only by improving the vitality and success of the surrounding area but also, by its high standards, influencing the quality of streetscape (signs, paving, etc) throughout the City. In particular, the proposals for the Broadway and High Street promise a great improvement for Winchester.
3. How does the physical addition fit in?
Those of us familiar with Winchester know well the significance of its setting within the valley, with its roofscape distinctive but softened by trees. The architects have taken full account of these factors by blending in the new roofs and trees. They have also been aware of views into the scheme from the surrounding streets, and it is surprising how well even a scheme of this size can be folded harmlessly into the City. The Cathedral is a good example of this, seen only where streets line up with the tower (views which have been carefully preserved in the scheme).
4. How do the spaces and landscaping set off the buildings?
The links and spaces within an urban environment are of crucial importance, because they need to be attractive places to linger in and to move through, and the buildings should act as a backcloth generating interest in the way they are detailed. As a rule of thumb, strong horizontal lines are generally unsympathetic to the eye while vertical lines give a pleasing effect. The architects appear to have considered this well in the design of both the buildings and the spaces.
5. How does vehicle movement work?
To combat congestion the City has a long-term policy of reducing central area parking. On the other hand our dependence on the car means that shop space will remain unlet if parking is insufficient; residents must also have some parking. The result here is a compromise, which must be judged by the developers and the City Council.
6. How good is the detailing of the buildings and spaces?
Detail humanises buildings by diverting the eye, providing scale and dividing up otherwise boring surfaces. On the other hand it must not be too fussy or trivial. It must give buildings quality, meaning and identity - without detail buildings become meaningless containers and spaces have no attraction. The architects have incorporated a good degree of detail into their proposals, but with all the buildings coming from the same stable, further work is desirable.
7. How well does the scheme address scale,light and connections?
A scheme requires the penetration of daylight to give a sense of well-being. Light falls across the faces of buildings and into spaces; sunlight adds sparkle and shadows provide contrast, scale and depth, accentuating detail. This scheme faces in various directions, providing opportunity for light penetration throughout the day. Height can reduce penetration, but in this case it should prove exciting rather than a detraction provided we could be sure the buildings are not too high. Although Winchester does have tall buildings they are not so concentrated as in the new scheme. However several other towns have a concentration of tall building, which adds excitement and pleasure, as in York, Norwich, Chester and Bath.
Conclusion
In my view there are still important elements to be looked at and evaluated in closer detail, but so far this looks like a very good scheme for Winchester.