A long day of walking streets in Chatham, trying to understand how it all works – I finally made my way along Dock Rd, past Medway Councilbuildings at Gun Wharfand St Mary’s Church, where Pepys and Dickens both worshipped; past Fort Amherst – to The Historic Dockyard.
Historic Dockyards, Chatham – Georgian brickwork of the main gateway entrance. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – The imposing and very long brick perimeter wall along Dock Road. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – The imposing and very long brick perimeter wall along Dock Road. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – the massive extant granite coping stones along the edge of Mast Dock. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – The scale of the original Dockyard architecture is so impressive. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – The geometry and pattern within the buildings are evident in structure and light. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – The internal roof of the slipway buildings is really something to behold ! Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – The massive structural timbers of the No 2 Slipway building. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – the roof apertures & timbers of the No 2 Slipway building create wonderful geometry and rhythms. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – the roof apertures & timbers of the No 2 Slipway building create wonderful geometry and rhythms. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – the early oak timbers were part of what were revered as ‘Chatham Timbers’ – Impressive forms with considerable interpretive merit. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – the massive bespoke granite forms which make up the dry docks are particularly impressive. Image:Christopher Tipping
Historic Dockyards, Chatham – the massive bespoke granite forms which make up the dry docks are particularly impressive. Image:Christopher Tipping
Material use within the Historic Dockyards is often massive in form, frugal in detail and places enormous emphasis on function and being ‘fit for purpose’. This robust, economic and honest use of material and form is influential and informative and should be used as a template and contextual influence within the regeneration of the Town Centre of Chatham.
Historic Dockyards, Chatham – the bespoke granite paving forms and trackways which criss cross the site conjure up the legacy of movement and industrious activity of the dockyard. Image:Christopher Tipping
Historic Dockyards, Chatham – Dockyard Trains with great text – Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – List of submarines built in Chatham Docks. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – the interiors of some of the buildings on site are immensely evocative and full of abstract forms. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – the interiors of some of the buildings on site are immensely evocative and full of abstract forms. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – the interiors of some of the buildings on site are immensely evocative and full of abstract forms. Image:Christopher TippingHistoric Dockyards, Chatham – the interiors of some of the buildings on site are immensely evocative and full of abstract forms. Image:Christopher Tipping
In early August this year I was commissioned by FrancisKnight Art Consultants and Medway Council to identify and scope creative public realm opportunities within the strategic Chatham Placemaking Project, which is being delivered by LDA Design.
“FrancisKnight have been appointed to work with LDA DESIGN and Medway Council on the Chatham Placemaking Project and in particular producing a creative public realm strategy to enhance the proposals and to add a sense of place and purpose to the spaces.
At the heart of the Thames Gateway, only 30 miles from central London, Medway is the largest conurbation between the capital and continental Europe. A modern place with green spaces and a superb quality of life, close to breathtaking countryside, the area has a young and culturally diverse population.
Chatham is located at the heart of Medway, with a population of 264,900 people living in the urban area in 2013. The area is world famous for its historic naval dockyard, and has also been a strategic centre for trade”.
This is a short term consultancy for me, which focuses particularly on the pedestrian route between Chatham Railway Station and The Waterfront, Chatham, via Railway Street and Military Road. This route leads on towards the Historic Dockyard Chatham – which is the subject of a World Heritage Bid –
I had up till this point never been to Chatham! I know of Chatham via Dickens and Pepys – as well as having looked at the Historic Dockyards online ! I have passed through the Medway Townsmany times on the train between Ramsgate and London, which does not really help frame a complete & honest image of the town.
This is a small sample of the visual record I made of my first visit in response to the project brief –
As you leave the Station and turn left, this leads you, via Railway Street towards the Town Centre and The Waterfront – however this route is a difficult one to navigate – if you know the town, then various landmarks map this out for you, but for a visitor, the experience is confusing and not for the faint hearted. The first 100m of this route, the car is certainly King – much to the detriment (& risk) of the pedestrian!
Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. The same view – Image:Christopher TippingRailway Street, Chatham, Kent. Image:Christopher Tipping
This view looks down Railway Street towards the Town Centre with the red brick edifice of Mountbatten House dominating the centre view.
Railway Street, Chatham, Kent. Looking up towards the Train Station through the Viaduct, which replaced the original Old Viaduct of 1794, which was referred to as a ‘defensive’ gateway. Image:Christopher TippingSt John the Divine Church, Railway Street. Built in 1820/21 & closed in 1998. Image:Christopher Tipping
Railway Steet was split into two sections with Waterfront Way connecting to the A2. This created issues with pedestrian flow and connectivity. Image:Christopher TippingRailway Street, Chatham, looking towards the Town Centre from St John’s Church. Image:Christopher TippingRailway Street, Chatham, looking towards the Town Centre from St John’s Church. Image:Christopher TippingA variety of great buildings still extant on Railway Street. Image:Christopher TippingThe ‘Prince of Wales’ Public House on the lower part of Railway Street, Chatham. Image:Christopher TippingTwo views along Military Road, Chatham, which is dominated by the red brick office block on the right hand side – Mountbatten House and the Pentagon Shopping Centre. At the far end of the long view is the beautiful Brook Theatre, the former Town Hall. Image:Christopher TippingA wide view at the lower end of Military Road looking towards the Brook Theatre and the New Bus Station. Image:Christopher TippingA wide view at the lower end of Military Road looking towards the new Bus Station and Waterfront. Image:Christopher TippingWalking from the Bus Station towards The Pentagon Shopping Centre and Military Road, Chatham. Image:Christopher TippingThe main pedestrian crossing point towards the Bus Station & Pumping Station. Image:Christopher TippingChatham Waterfront Pumping Station and Big Screen, Chatham. Image:Christopher TippingThe Pumping Station appears to divide two distinct landscapes along the river frontage. Top – looking left of the Pumping Station. Bottom – looking right of the Pumping Station. Image:Christopher TppingThe local population on the river below the Pumping Station. Image:Christopher TippingThe local population sit on railings along the waterfront, Chatham. Image:Christopher TippingThe new Bus Station looking towards Mountbatten House. Image:Christopher TippingThe Paddock, which is green space between the Bus Station, Mountbatten House and the Pentagon Shopping Centre. Image:Christopher TippingBrook Theatre, Chatham, the former Chatham Town Hall. Image:Christopher Tipping
‘Heart of the Campus’ for Sheffield Hallam University has also been featured in ‘JOURNAL ARCHITEKTEN UND PLANER’with some great images. Again, this was sent over to me by Rockpanel, who have produced some pretty wonderful PR on the project – the sort of coverage I could never achieve on my own – so a big thank you to them !
‘Heart of the Campus’ for Sheffield Hallam University featured in ‘Journal Architekten Und Planer’. Image:Rockpanel. Artist:Christopher Tipping‘Heart of the Campus’ for Sheffield Hallam University featured in ‘Journal Architekten Und Planer’. Image:Rockpanel. Artist:Christopher Tipping‘Heart of the Campus’ for Sheffield Hallam University featured in ‘Journal Architekten Und Planer’. Image:Rockpanel. Artist:Christopher Tipping‘Heart of the Campus’ for Sheffield Hallam University featured in ‘Journal Architekten Und Planer’. Image:Rockpanel. Artist:Christopher Tipping
Rockpanelsent over these images of the ‘Heart of the Campus’ project featured in the August edition of FASSADE Technik Und Architektura German architectural magazine. Apologies for the poor quality of the first image !
‘Heart of the Campus’ for Sheffield Hallam University featured in ‘FASSADE’ August 2015. Image:Rockpanel. Photographer:JNewsome‘Heart of the Campus’ for Sheffield Hallam University featured in ‘FASSADE’ August 2015. Image:Rockpanel‘Heart of the Campus’ for Sheffield Hallam University featured in ‘FASSADE’ August 2015. Image:Rockpanel
A short film has just been posted by Civic Voice about the recent Civic Voice Design Awards 2015. As previously posted – Margate Steps – aka Margate Flood and Coastal Protection Scheme, won the award for Public Realm.
Margate Steps wins the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm. Image: Left to right – Geoff Orton, Chris Tipping, Project Artist and Griff Rhys Jones, President of Civic Voice. Photo: Christopher TippingMargate Steps wins the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm. Image: Christopher Tipping
The project was nominated by the Margate Civic Society. In 2014, the project had been awarded a Civic Award by the local group and it was on the back of this that the nomination for the Civic Voice Award was made. I attended the event with Geoff Orton of the Margate Civic Society.
Margate Steps wins the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm. Image: Christopher TippingMargate Steps wins the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm. Image: Christopher TippingMargate Steps wins the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm. Image: Christopher Tipping
This project was delivered by a large and diverse integrated design team. I think part of it’s success as a project is certainly down to the collaborative nature of the scheme and that this process was something which contributed from the outset of the works, influencing and challenging the design process at each stage.
Margate Steps wins the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm. Geoff Orton of Margate Civic Society holding the Award. Image: Christopher TippingMargate Steps wins the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm. Geoff Orton of Margate Civic Society holding the Award. Image: Christopher TippingMargate Steps wins the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm. Image: Geoff Orton on the left, with Griff Rhys Jones, President of Civic Voice Photo: Christopher TippingMargate Steps wins the 2015 Civic Voice Design Award for Public Realm. Image: Chris Tipping, Project Artist on the left, with Griff Rhys Jones, President of Civic Voice Photo: Christopher Tipping
We had our first Art Commission Phase 2 design meeting at the Whiteleaf Centre today to meet staff working in the four Wards, Opal, Sapphire, Ruby and Amber. Tom Cox of Artscapeand myself presented some first draft ideas to staff. We spread out the drawings and some paper models on the meeting room table and asked staff to comment on the work and annotate the drafts for us. This proved a rewarding process – with some of the iconography in the draft designs getting positive approval, whilst others – a definite thumbs down! –
The composite image below shows the Ward Round Rooms, which are found within each Ward Hub. This room is used for Clinical staff meetings and meetings with family and service users. We are proposing to install digitally printed wall coverings to two walls in each room.
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Christopher Tipping, Project Artist
Whiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks and models by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project ArtistWhiteleaf Centre, Aylesbury Project: digitally printed wall coverings to Ward Round Rooms. Image: Draft Artworks by Christopher Tipping, Project Artist
Civic Voice shortlists 12 schemes for new design awards !
The Margate Flood & Coastal Protection Project aka ‘Margate Steps’, has been shortlisted for this new design award.
“Civic Voice – the national charity for the civic movement – has today announced its national shortlist for the best designed new development nominated by communities in the country”.
Griff Rhys Jones, Civic Voice President said:
“What I really like about the Civic Voice Design Awards is that they are national awards which have been nominated by local community organisations like civic societies, residents groups, town and parish councils and other community based voluntary organisations, rather than the industry professionals. They show that people are willing to welcome the new developments we need when they have been properly consulted and involved and where the quality of design has been of the highest standard. I look forward to meeting the award winners”
These wonderful new images of ‘Margate Steps’ were taken this week by photographer Dean Barkley, using a multi-rotor copter. Dean can be contacted on dean@barkleyimages.co.uk. There is also a short film – once I have worked out how to post that online!!!
The images clearly show the scale and impact that the Coastal Protection Project has had on the local area. The additional public realm and and amenity space that the works have provided is shaping the way that the seafront engages with the Old Town and Harbour. Even at high tide, the Old Town is accessible from the beach, which had previously not been possible. The wonderful coastal setting which has become the backdrop for the regeneration of the Harbour Arm, Custom House, Turner Contemporary, Old Town, Margate Steps and now finally Dreamland coming on stream has really made Margate magnificent once again.
Margate Flood & Coast Protection Scheme. Aerial image obtained from a multi-rotor copter by photographer Dean Barkley. Image: Dean BarkleyMargate Flood & Coast Protection Scheme. Aerial image obtained from a multi-rotor copter by photographer Dean Barkley. Image: Dean Barkley
I recently posted a very long set of images which formed the basis for a research & contextual study I have produced for the Bus Station Project. I have now managed to sort out how to post a link here to the actual pdf document, which you can now view with much more clarity.
This pdf is only a part of the contextual research which has been done – but forms a good basis on which to reflect upon the influences and threads of research which have caught my attention. Much more work has been done since this was completed and I hope to post more images of draft and concept drawings and sketches very soon.
The first page of the pdf looks like this image below – so you will know you are on the right tracks! Click here:
