Site Opportunities

The large size of the site allows for the inclusion of varied activities that could be extended to the wider community. A strong local desire for quality public space could comfortably be incorporated into the scheme.

Reginald Parade, the single storey shopping parade on the east boundary of the site, offers the opportunity for conversion into a main entrance gate.
The architectural language of the surrounding buildings, with the exception of the recently renovated shops across Chapeltown Road, is relatively bland. The challenge therefore is to create a building with a strong relationship to its context as the context is weak. Initial thoughts are that the design will be more influenced by the requirements of the brief. The trap to be avoided is designing an incongruous stand alone building with no real relationship to its surrounds.

Site Constraints

The site has a slope of approximately 1 in 27 dropping 7.8m from west to east and 1 in 35 dropping 1.9m north to south.

The residential properties along Reginald Street and Reginald Terrace currently have an uninterrupted view onto the park. Any development must ideally take this into consideration and not adversely effect the existing aspect.

Reginald Parade sits rundown and largely vacant to the front of the site. This solid barrier currently obstructs views onto the site from Chapeltown Road.

Chapeltown Road is a main route from North Leeds and the A61 into Leeds city centre. The noise and pollution from the road particularly at peak times could be a factor that needs to be considered.

Physical Site Analysis

The site is partially hidden from the main road to the east by Reginald Parade, a row of single storey retail units which are either vacant or in the process of relocating. To the north, south and west the site is surrounded by residential properties of little architectural merit.

A low wooden fence currently bisects the site to the east of the sports court demarking the extent of the proposed Joint Services Centre.

The gently sloping site is predominately covered with utility grass. A 3m high wire fence surrounds a tarmac surfaced sports court at the centre of the site.

The children’s playground consists of a slide set into a low manmade hill and a single arched ladder climbing frame.

A number of mature trees pepper the site including sycamore, Norway maple, ash, holly and rowan.

Site 1

This is the site that has been selected as the location for the scheme. The strong aspect of community involvement that this scheme potentially has made this site the most desirable of the three. It allowed more scope for the brief to develop and become more inclusive to the wider community.

Location: Chapeltown Road, between Reginald Terrace and Reginald Street.

Area: 13857m2 (3.4 acres)

Use: Demolished pub and underused /disused park

Status: Planning permission pending - joint services centre

Considerations: Size - too big?

Site 2

Location: Corner of Chapeltown Road and Grange Avenue.

Area: 884m2 (0.22 acres)

Use: Empty - demolished residential plot.

Status: Planning permission rejected - Part two storey part three storey block of 14 flats.

Considerations: Proximity of adjacent residential properties. Size - too small.

Site 3

Location: Chapeltown Road, between Savile Road and Savile Place

Area: 1141.6m2 (0.28 acres)

Use: Empty - demolished residential plot.

Status: Planning permission pending - 4 storey block of 6 retail units with 16 two bedroom flats over; and 4 storey block of 6 two bed flats and laying out of 22 car parking spaces.

Considerations: Size - too small.

Sites Considered

All three sites considered are in Chapeltown, Leeds. Chapeltown has been the subject of various regeneration initiatives over the years at both national and local levels, and some improvements have been made, but it still remains in the bottom 3% of deprived areas in the country [Indices of Deprivation 2007].

And so it begins...

Well, the thesis project is now and truly underway or at least should be. The design proposal document is starting to take shape (starting being the operative word - I may have faffed around with the formatting for a little longer than required) so hopefully a deluge of information should be making its way onto the blog soon.
The research that I have done so far seems to be steering me away from my initial thoughts. The scheme is developing from purely an Urban Scout Centre to more of a community based project.
I have a tutorial tomorrow so hopefully Nick will be able to tell me if I am heading in the right direction.

Briggate - Updated Sheets 4 of 4

Sheet 4 - just some added annotation and a change of some image colours to tie in with earlier sheets.

Briggate - Updated Sheets 3 of 4

Sheet 3 - now showing how the space benefits everyone, not just the traceurs (Parkour practitioners)

Briggate - Updated Sheets 2 of 4

More info on the Parkour sheet - hopefully the additional images will give a little insight as to how I developed the wall form for this scheme.

Briggate - Updated Sheets 1 of 4 (well 5 really)

The original sheet 1 has been demoted to sheet 0 as it reitterates the define / redefine part of the project. This new sheet 1 analyses public space in Leeds.

Feedback on presentation

Review with Bob and Claire (fulltime PGDip tutors)

Didn't go down too well. Comments and recommendations include:

• Is too one dimensional - mearly linear from top to bottom of Briggate. Suggested inclusion of a cafe or taking structure off at different angles.
• Obscures views. Briggate is a successful space because of its visual permeability. A few breaks in the wall and a couple of holes punched through it aren't enough. Could it be a temporary installation.
• Need to demonstrate how the scheme improves Briggate.
• How can the space be enjoyed by by the general public?
• Demonstrate that the scheme is not exclusively for parkour.
• Show more design development - from parkour perspective and also from public space perspective.
• Compare to public space throughout Leeds - what are they lacking, what does this scheme bring?
• On the plus side the graphic layout and presentation style were praised.

So looks like I have a little bit of work to do. Personally I am reasonably happy with the design and do feel that it enhances Briggate but agree that I need to sell it a bit better and show more of the development.

Briggate Proposal - Sheet 4 of 4

The pretty images (remembered to put in the narrative too)

Briggate Proposal - Sheet 3 of 4

The design process, plans, section etc.

Briggate Proposal Sheet 2 of 4

Briggate Proposal - Sheet 1 of 4

First of the 4 A1 sheets done (barring any last minute changes).
The idea is to do the background stuff on sheet 1, intro to Parkour and why in Leeds on sheet 2, the design for Briggate sheet 3 and fancy images on sheet 4.

Something more subtle?

So Far, So ?

still struggling with the vertical transfer from ground to rooftop (top pic), might try something more subtle.

Concept

The hub on briggate needs to have an everyday use but be designed with parkour moves and techniques in mind. If an artificial parkour training area is formed this could alienate other users of Briggate and may not be attrative traceurs as it would be too contrived (?).

The installation also needs to create a link from the ground to the rooftops for the exhibitions/ competion races.