Chairman's Jottings - TrustNews Dec 18
Design
The other day, there were a number of us checking a report, and like so many directives, the report stated “good design is of paramount importance". This particular report was directed at housing.
This promoted the question - ‘what is good design?’ When considered, ‘design’ is one of those words that mean different expectations to different people, in other words, you can probably ask ten different people what design means to them and you will receive ten different answers! So, having thought about ‘what is good design‘, here is my definition:
For me, well designed buildings and building layouts are all-embracing, giving a feeling of satisfaction at being part of a space that lifts the spirits, provides rhythm, recognises the importance of light, the importance of scale, materials and the relationship of one element to another and, where appropriate, the history of an area. Style is certainly an ingredient. Style changes through historical periods and reflects what is going on socially, politically and technically at that moment in time. To help with a sense of place, buildings need to be well proportioned and well detailed, to add to the feel-good factor.
Coitbury House, Friarsgate
Winchester City Council are considering the refurbishment of this rather bland building in Friarsgate. Personally, l think this is a reasonable decision. The building appears to be well built with good brickwork and l would have thought with an imaginative architect, could be easily improved. One would hope that being the first contribution towards the central area redevelopment, the refurbishment will be a beacon to light the way for what is to follow.
Chester
25 members of the Chester Civic Trust Society recently descended on Winchester. We arranged a morning visit to the Cathedral, the Winchester College Treasury and a walk around the College. In the afternoon we guided them around areas of Winchester ending the tour at the Great Hall. There is nothing like showing visitors around a place you know well, to waken one’s visual senses and recognise how good our environment is! Our President, Sir Donald lnsall, gave a short lunchtime talk which was particularly apt, as he has left his architectural mark on both cities, and is very well known to both Trusts.
Heritage Open Days
This event as many of you know was held over four days at the beginning of September. Once again Nicky Gottlieb and Becky Brown organised a very successful festival in and around Winchester. Although we and in particular John Beveridge and Nick Gibbons helped with some of the administration, the brunt of the exercise was taken by Nicky and Becky, so many congratulations to both of them. Winchester is very lucky to have two such well organised enthusiastic people which has become such a great advertisement for the City.
The Movement Strategy
We have recently been asked why we are objecting to schemes such as the Leisure Centre. When we put our name down for speaking at a city council debate on planning subjects, it appears that one only has two alternatives. Do you support a scheme, or do you object to a scheme? If you wish to reserve a time slot to make a point that you are concerned about, or a particular element of the proposal needs clarification, you have to object even if you support 90% of an application – therefore you have to become an objector.
In the case of the Leisure Centre, our main concern is traffic, both parking and general movement. The fundamental problem with all the proposed developments in and around Winchester is the lack of strategic thinking. It is difficult to judge any scheme which has what seems to us to be a lack of a strategy, and it is difficult to judge what impact large scale development has on the core of Winchester. We realise that there is going to be a movement strategy for Winchester, due out in the near future. However, in my opinion it should have been out long ago to help enable not only us, but architects preparing schemes, the local council, and other interested parties to understand more fully what impact traffic, and general movement requirements, have on development proposals.