94-98 ST. ALBANS ROAD WATFORD PLACE SHAPING & CULTURAL VISION DALLAS-PIERCE-QUINTERO Contents
Vision 4 Commissioning Public Art 70
Next Steps 74 Introduction 6 Image credits Watford Cultural Strategy Aim
Context 12
The Site History & Heritage Community Watford Now Cultural Landscape Heritage Influences Today
Developing a Place Narrative 38
Approach Heritage Influences Cultural & Social Opportunities Consultation
Proposals & Precedents 48
1. Penn Street & Square
2. Mews Street
3. School Community
4. Informal Play
5. Engagement
5. Wider Watford
2 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 3 1545 ST ALBANS ROAD PROJECT DIARY 23 28.11.18 PAGE 5
VIEW 01 1545_500_Penn Square
NOTES The final image is shown opposite. The Our Vision progression of the development is illus- for 94-98 St Albans Rd trated in the thumbnail previews below.
We will build on Watford’s Cultural Strategy to provide a creative, sociable new community hub for North Watford where everyone is welcome.
4 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 5
ROCKHUNTER, 5A PRIORY GROVE, LONDON SW8 2PD +44 (0)20 7627 0416 [email protected] ROCKHUNTER.CO.UK
Company No. 04050255 VAT No. 761372335 “Our ambition is to grow sustainable opportunities for Introduction creative enterprise, cultural provision and participation for our local communities, business and visitors which will, in turn, strengthen Watford’s appeal as a creative This Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision will enrich and enhance destination ” the 94-98 St Albans Road development, shaping regeneration through a cultural dimension to enrich the physical and social character of the neighbourhood. Watford Cultural Strategy 2018 Vision
Our remit is to work strategically, often with a focus around arts “In their many forms they are uniquely able to comment, and cultural activities, helping to ensure the scheme relates to reflect, influence, interpret and inspire and are and reflects the local area, its history and through involving the increasingly recognised as a key part of the process that existing local community. can help shape new places and engage communities.”
Role of Culture, Sport and Heritage in Place Shaping DCMS CASE Report 2016
Build Embed Community Culture
What a Place Shaping Vision can help Reveal achieve Shape Built Heritage Environment
Activate Public Realm
6 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 7 1545 ST ALBANS ROAD PROJECT DIARY 23 28.11.18 PAGE 6
VIEW 02 1545_511_Mews Street
Aim NOTES
The final image is shown opposite. The 94-98 St. Albans Road will create a new residential & community progression of the development is illus- hub in North Watford, inspired by the site’s industrial heritage. A trated in the thumbnail previews below. welcoming & friendly place that actively encourages community.
We will take inspiration from Watford’s new Cultural Strategy, ensuring alignment with the wider borough’s cultural and creative aspirations for the physical place and for all communities. We will build a relevant authentic place narrative and identity and celebrate stories from the past, whilst looking forward.
Reflected through the scheme’s implementation, this will bring character and life. A range of cultural initiatives will welcome residents and local communities from the outset, help to knit the new scheme within its environs, and enable creativity to flourish.
This will build on Watford’s Cultural Strategy that seeks to enrich cultural activity and opportunity for all and, in so doing, amplify Watford’s profile as a dynamic place to experience international and home-grown culture.
8 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 9
ROCKHUNTER, 5A PRIORY GROVE, LONDON SW8 2PD +44 (0)20 7627 0416 [email protected] ROCKHUNTER.CO.UK
Company No. 04050255 VAT No. 761372335 Watford Cultural Strategy themes The following themes, from Watford’s Cultural Strategy, will guide and influence the Place Shaping Vision for 94 - 98 St Albans Rd.
Watford Heritage Communication Production Cultural Ladder & Connectivity House
Valuing what is inherently local A vibrant, lively, and well- A place of making & production Opportunities for people to connected urban hub access a career in culture & arts
Watford has a rich heritage and a Watford is well-located and well- Watford has an authentic narrative Watford has a range of creative and range of historic buildings and green connected. The strategy identifies around production from the railway cultural industries, yet there is a need spaces. There is much that is unique a need for improved way finding in to earlier industrial activity focused for more pathways for young people to Watford and more can be done to and around the town centre & better on paper, print and publishing to to identify and develop their creative reveal the interesting stories within the communications to tell people about today’s film, theatre, music and talents and interests, and if they wish, built environment and through cultural the range of activity on offer. football. Innovations began in to pursue careers in the field. If not, the programmes. Watford which were sent out to the arts offer fantastic opportunities for world from printing and photographic personal development, self- expression processes, to revolving doors and and well-being for all ages. now films, football players and the emerging focus on digital media and the service industries.
10 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 11 Context
94-98 St Albans Road is located at the heart of North Watford, a community hub of housing and small business that grew from a rich history of industry. North Watford is an evolving neighbourhood stretching between Watford Junction and Garston, around St Albans Road, to the north east of Watford Town Centre.
This large mixed use scheme sits within the Watford Junction Masterplan Regeneration Zone. It comprises 1214 residential units, 20,549 ft2 commercial space, a new two form primary school with nursery and new public realm.
The site is bounded by St Albans Road and the railway line between Watford Junction and North Watford stations. To the north is Hille House, designed by architect Erno Goldfinger, which features the first use of his signature coloured glass design on the front of the building. This brutalist office and factory complex was built for Hille furniture company in 1959.
12 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 13 History & Heritage
Site
Printing
Cassiobury
Photography
Sawmills
Hille Design
Brewing
Railway History & Heritage
How Watford & North Watford developed
The town of Watford grew out of a 12th century charter which granted permission for a market to be held and for St Marys Church to be built. Much later, following the arrival of the railway, North Watford evolved out from the centre of Watford, as a thriving hub of housing and industry.
Originally given the name of Watford New Town and Callowland, the area renamed North Watford in 1916 has a rich and varied history. We anticipate the following heritage information will inform future arts and culture commissions, to enhance and shape the future St Albans Road site.
Architecture
Notable local landmarks include Odhams Press, the former printworks designed by Yates, Cook & Darbyshire architects and modelled on the design of Stockholm City Hall. Christ Church is a distinctive red brick structure in semi-Italian Romanesque style by architects Hudson and Hunt, noted for its semicircular brick apse.
Immediately north of the site, Hille House is a concrete office block, designed by the noted architect Ernő Goldfinger, built in 1961 to house the fashionable Hille furniture company. An example of Brutalist architecture, it is locally listed and features a cantilevered concrete box glazed with brightly coloured glass, a signature of Goldfinger’s design and the first of his buildings to have this feature.
______
Local architecture shows how Watford has embraced change throughout its history and has responded to the economy of the time. Now, we want to reflect this through the design of the built environment and the public realm.
16 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 17 Local Industrial Heritage Railway
A multiplicity of companies established themselves on site including Until the 19C, Watford records show farmland and manorial estates Van Kannel’s revolving doors (said to have been used on the owned by the Earls of Essex and Clarendon. When the London ‘Titanic’), Macmillan Foundries and McCaskey’s Cash Registers. It & Birmingham Railway opened through Watford in 1883, North could be said that the site was the first industrial estate outside the Watford was given over to house building and changing industry. town centre – a new development on a green field site. Key and The first station was built between St Albans Road and the main notable industries shaped a remarkable industrial heritage. line in 1937, opposite the redevelopment site. The Grade-II-listed old station house will be incorporated into a new scheme when redevelopment takes place soon. In 1858 a new station was built “Along the line of the road to St. Albans, nearby at Watford Junction, now the main gateway into the town. the district of Callowland is extending in a ______similar manner, the factories there including large cocoa works and several printing and Watford was shaped by the arrival of the railway and by its many evolving types of industries. colour process works. A large number of the employees of the London and North Western Now, we want to reflect this through commissioning art and design Railway Company are housed in this district.” projects within the development scheme, to reflect and celebrate this heritage.
A History of the County of Hertford: Volume 2 1908 1st Railway station, St Albans Rd, c Bob Nunn, Van Kannel Revolving Door design, McCaskey Cash Register, Watford
18 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 19 Printing
Printing initially grew in Watford due to the proximity of local paper “It’s really difficult to conceive just how big an industry manufacture. John Peacock, one of the founders of the town’s printing industry in the early 19thC, little knew he was the pioneer printing and the allied trades were in Watford… of what would become the greatest concentration of printers in the Watford’s greatest contribution to printing is all the world. Printers pioneered a process called rotary photogravure. As a innovative work that was done at the beginning of the result, Watford was one of Britain’s most prosperous towns. 20th Century in colour reproduction…” When various companies consolidated as the Sun Engraving Company in 1918, Watford had a print firm employing more than a Dr Caroline Archer thousand people and by the 1920s, was a world-renowned centre of commercial printing.
By WW2, 1 in 13 local residents were engaged in ‘the print’. While many people went off to war, those left working in the Watford prints produced government media; aerial reconnaissance books, war material and munitions. During the 1980’s this printing success ceased due to wider competition and changing technology.
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As the one time centre of print in the world, Watford’s story of The Watford School of industry and employment is unique. Printing 1930, Printing Block, Printing Factory, Watford, Croxley Paper Mill Now, we want to reflect this influence on the changing face of the Workers, 1930s area through a focus on typographic imagery to reflect this story. c Watford Museum
20 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 21 Cassiobury Saw Mills
By 1877-78 Thomas Turner had opened a saw mill on a part of the 94-98 St Albans Rd site. He had previously worked in the saw mill on the Cassiobury estate and began with the manufacture of croquet sets, popularised by the then Earl of Essex.
“Thomas Turner Ltd” was advertising itself, in the 1890s, as a supplier of coal, coke, slate, bricks as well as wood and other building materials, and manufacturers of wagons, carts and ladders.
By the early 1900s, the mills also offered building services. The directory of 1907 lists them as “manufacturers of games, builders’ merchants”.
Brewing
The Watford Brewery Ltd, a large operation located behind Hille House, was founded in 1890, with the nearby railway transporting beer to London. The brewery was taken over in 1951 by the Watford based Benskins Brewery and eventually wound up in 1955.
Hille
Founded in 1906 the British furniture manufacturer Hille moved to North Watford in 1951, specialising in modern furniture. Most notably the polypropylene stacking chair was designed here by Robin Day and went on to become the world’s best-selling chair. The company’s success grew and in 1961 it opened a new showroom and office building, Hille House, beside St Albans Quarter redevelopment site.
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Watford has an authentic story of production and making; creating paper, wood, print, beer, cash registers, and multiple other items and processes.
We will ensure this is reflected in the place-making approach, which will build on Watford Cultural Strategy’s narrative of Watford as a place of Cassiobury Mills 1891 c Watford Museum, Wells Watford Brewery production. Sparkling Label - Early Version
22 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 23 Vi-Cocoa
Dr. Tibbles’ Vi-Cocoa Company Factory opened in North Watford in 1899 until it burned down in 1903. Tibbles claimed that botanicals had cured him of consumption in 1867. He began to sell coca and its concentrated extract, cocaine, as a general cure for debility and consumption, in 1871. As an energy-restorative, Vi-Cocoa was one of the best-selling cocoa-based drinks in Britain. The Lucozade of its era, it continued to be advertised until at least 1945. Rebuilt as The Watford Manufacturing Company, over 1,000 people were employed by 1914, producing supplies for frontline troops in World War I until bankruptcy in 1922.
Photography
In 1921 Amalgamated Photographic Manufacturers Ltd was formed to bring together seven small British companies. Located on the development site, the original seven companies included the Paget Prize Plate Co., which in 1928 subsequently became APeM Ltd (Amalgamated Photographic Equipment Manufacturers). This company then became part of Ilford, also on this site.
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Photography is significant to North Watford’s history, with a number of photographic companies located on the site and innovative new processes created here.
This rich photographic heritage will be drawn on when commissioning new contemporary artworks and creative projects for the scheme.
Dr Tibbles Vi-Cocoa Tin, Ilford Film, Paget Prize Plate Co. packages, made in Watford, retrieved from the Antarctic
24 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 25 Paget Prize Plate Co. “The colour screen plate comprised a series of red, green and blue filters, laid down in a The Paget Prize Plate Co. photographic manufacturer formed when W. J. Wilson won a Photographic Society competition in 1879 to regular pattern of lines to form a matrix. As find the best dry plate emulsion. A £50 prize was offered by Captain the negatives required long exposure times, (later Sir) Joseph Paget. Wilson then set up the company with the colours in the screen plate were diluted to George C. Whitfield. Their new base on St Albans Rd was visited by the photographic press including the British Journal of Photography. let more light through, resulting in a quicker Whitfield’s sons and grandsons went on to work there. exposure.”
After WW1, Pagets marketed roll films. In 1921 Amalgamated In 2010, a South Oxey resident found glass plate negatives when Photographic Manufacturers Ltd brought together seven small working for New Zealand’s Antarctic Heritage Trust, restoring British companies including Paget. In 1928 this became APeM Ltd artefacts to mark the centenary of Scott’s trip to the south pole. ‘The and the Paget works at Watford became the new company HQ, and majority of plates are by the Paget Prize Plate Co.…. which makes then part of Ilford. these packages very rare indeed. It was a very nice surprise to be working on so much Watford material out here.’ The Paget Plate process was innovative, involving two glass plates; a colour screen plate and a standard B&W negative plate. Notably ------Australian photographer Frank Hurley used the process when in 1914 he documented Shackleton’s Endurance expedition. Hurley was The stories of the Paget Prize Plate Co. and its said to be “a warrior with his camera” who would “go anywhere or application through the adventurous spirit of do anything to get a picture”. Before the Endurance fully submerged, photographers like Frank Hurley, make the St Albans Hurley dived into icy sea water to retreive glass negative plates, Rd site unique and show how innovation in Watford deciding with Shackleton which to save. It is largely due to Hurley’s Photos; Paget Self Toning has been taken out into the world. This is a primary pictures that the Endurance story is still alive today. Photographic Paper, made in Watford & Frank Hurley 1929 c State Library theme to develop as it is directly related to the site New South Wales and hasn’t been referenced elsewhere in Watford.
94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 27 Ink Day went on to create a whole ‘polyprop’ family - the 1967 Polypropylene armchair, the 1971 Series E school chairs and the Originally from Cincinnati, Fishburn Inks manufactured printing ink jaunty indoor/outdoor Polo chair in 1975. The Hille company’s from a factory built on the 94-98 St Albans Road site. The company success grew and in 1961 it opened a new showroom and office was founded in the UK by Albert Fishburn and incorporated in 1929. building, Hille House, which remains today immediately beside the Initially black ink for printing newsprint, and later coloured inks, were 94-98 St Albans Road redevelopment site. used on packaging and for posters after the war. De Havilland Hille and Robin Day Further to the North of Watford, the de Havilland factory at Founded in 1906, modern British furniture manufacturer Hille moved Leavesden, which had manufactured the Mosquito fighter bomber to North Watford in 1951. Here, the Day/Hille collaboration included and the Halifax bomber, became Leavesden Aerodrome. Once no the ground-breaking 1963 Polypropylene chair, which sold in tens longer operational, it was converted into Leavesden Film Studios, of millions worldwide. Day also designed Hille’s letterheads, forms, now famously the home of Warner Bros. and the global visitor vehicle livery and graphics, brochures, showroom designs and attraction, ‘The Making of Harry Potter’. exhibition stands. His Hille logo has been used for 60 years. ------Born in High Wycombe in 1915, Day believed in the power of modern furniture and design to uplift and make the world a better Hille, Goldfinger & Day’s contributions to design, and creation place. From the start of his career, he dedicated himself to the of ‘design classics’, further evidence North Watford’s authentic design of low-cost, ‘high tech’, mass-produced furniture. With the evolution of making. 1963 Polypropylene chair a worldwide hit, he achieved his ultimate goal. Light, strong, flexible, scratch-proof, heat-resistant and Now, we will take inspiration from these design classics in public hard-wearing, it has been produced in the millions and spawned realm design and creative features within the overall scheme such as innumerable copies. public art or bespoke seating.
Let the Ink Flow by Dr Robert Leach, Orange Polypropylene Chairs by Robin Day
28 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 29 Watford People
Watford has a long history of communities travelling to the area and North Watford holds a lot of memories for me.... Redrups in many cases, staying, attracted by the market, jobs and Watford’s clean country air. By 1871 the population had risen to est. 12,000. butchers, Girlings Bakers, Mrs. Finch’s grocery shop Part of the expansion out from the town centre was along St. Albans where mum would buy a quarter of butter a week with Road. her ration coupons and the broken biscuits were a joy.
Here, a busy community of independent shop keepers grew to Froomes, another grocers, Mr. Christie’s chemist where cater for the needs of the workers of the railway, the brewery, the he made up all sorts of potions. Cassiobury Saw Mills and the nearby homes of Nascot. Christine Partridge, A Life in Watford, 2011 – Our Watford History Many families and individuals contributed to Watford’s varied industrial heritage, where innovation flourished and pioneering new processes were taken out to the world. Whilst most named are men, many of the factories employed women and girls over the years including the Paget Prize Plate Co., including:
Samuel Alexander Peacock John Peacock Edward Hunter J.A. (Archie) Hughes G.S. Whitfield John Pope James Francis (Frank) Hurley Daniel Pope John Dyson Sarah Pope Erno Goldfinger Sir Joseph Paget Dr (William) Tibbles Robin Day
Photo North Watford Police Station and Beyond 1949 c Bob Nunn
30 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 31 Watford Today
Today, North Watford is mostly residential with mainly red brick terraced housing from the late 19th century and with many long term residents and younger families, within a multi-cultural community. St. Albans Rd is characterised by small shops and services including chemists, charity shops, hair dressers, a music shop, coffee roastery, cafes and food take-aways. There are local dance and music classes and a community choir.
In wider Watford much development is underway, as the borough and its town centre become the regional heart of Hertfordshire, maximizing on the excellent connectivity to London and the north. Watford benefits from being more urban than the rest of Hertforshire, but leafier than London with good access to parks, green spaces, the canal, heritage and historic buildings, arts, culture and sport.
Development on St. Albans Road, near to Watford Junction, will bring new homes, public realm and small scale retail, bridging the denser living of the town centre and the quieter residential areas of North Watford.
Viento Coffee Co, St Albans Road, Warner Bros. Studios Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
32 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 33 Cultural & Creative Industries 1 18
Arts, Culture & Attractions
1 The Harry Potter Experience 2 Watford Football Club 3 Colosseum 4 Watford Palace Theatre 5 Watford Museum 6 Pump House Theatre 7 Intu cinema & bowling 8 Watford Leisure Centre
Live Music venues
9 The White Lion 10 The Flag 11 The Horns 12 LP cafe
The Great Outdoors 10 13 13 Cassiobury Park 9 14 River Gade 15 River Colne
Business & Retail 19 16 Intu shopping centre 15 21 17 High street shops 20 8 11 12 18 Warner Bros. Leavesden 3 19 Clarendon Rd 14
Education 14 29 4 20 West Herts College 21 Watford Library 17 7 22 Watford Grammer School for Boys 22 16 23 Watford School of Music 25 23 26 24 Watford Grammar School for Girls 28
Places of Worship 27 31 5 25 Holy Rood Church 26 St Mary’s Church 24 27 Watford Central Mosque 6 28 Al Zahra Centre 2 Transport Hubs
29 Watford Underground Station 30 Watford Junction Rail Station 31 Watford Hight Street Rail Station
34 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 35 North Watford’s heritage influences manifested today
Railway Photography & Erno Goldfinger/ Hille & Local Production Cinematography 60’s Architecture Robin Day Printing, Brewing, Sawmills
We make films We make theatre We make music We make goals
36 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 37 Developing a Place Narrative for 94-98 St Albans Rd Watford Production House From Watford to the World The borough’s Cultural Many innovative industrial and Strategy highlights Watford’s manufacturing processes have authentic production narrative originated in Watford, and then from farming, paper making moved out across the UK and 94-98 St Albans Rd sits as a new gateway between Watford and industrial heritage to a beyond. Junction Station and the neighbourhood of North Watford, contemporary making culture bringing new communities and offering a fresh local heart for - from film at Warner Bros to Beer - Printing & Publishing - Paget performance at Watford Palace Plate Process - Fishburn Ink - the area. Robin Day Chair - Vi Cocoa-Cola - Theatre & smaller companies, Revolving Doors In developing a place narrative for the site, we have been grassroots music, football guided by the wider borough cultural strategy, together with success and digital media. the emerging themes from the destination management plan and the historic character of St Albans Rd and North Watford.
Growing out of Watford’s cultural place vision, we will focus on the following areas which bridge North Watford’s past, Well-Connected Watford 94-98 St Albans Road present and future. Cultural Identity Watford is well connected to London and the north, for travel A well-connected evolving and also to it’s rich heritage. As community neighbourhood in the a walkable town with growing heart of North Watford, reflecting employment, it is looking to local industrial heritage through the future, with a range of contemporary design and regeneration initiative underway. continuing Watford’s tradition of making and innovation.
38 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 39 Approach -making narra ce tive Pla s
We are taking a holistic, research-led approach to uncovering what is distinctive to the site, making local heritage visible and Heritage themes keeping arts, design, culture & community at the forefront.
Creating an interesting, attractive and welcoming environment and improving the quality of what is on offer locally, will contribute to an improved hub at the south end of St Albans Road, a gateway into the town centre.
Providing new creative workspace, public art and the potential for gatherings and events though flexible spaces, will all help to create a new ‘heart’ for the area, bringing added life Local connections and animation and helping to pull people in and through the site.
Taking inspiration from the local area and engaging with current local residents and young people in Watford, we will focused on the curation of a series of temporary and permanent creative projects to enhance the scheme from the start.
Print and photographic processes, ink making, the railway, sawmills and the design heritage of Robin Day and Erno Goldfinger offer rich and diverse source of materials for Cultural & Social exploration. Opportunities
40 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 41 Heritage Themes Place-Making Narratives Cultural & Social Opportunities
Social Opportunities Watford Production House Dwelling, linking with neighbours
Flexible Creative Space Making, exhibiting, selling, learning
From Watford to the World Young People Involvement in design, developing skills
Wayfinding Navigation influenced by heritage, architecture, stories, text, public art Well-Connected Watford
Industrial Heritage & Production Narrative Print, Publishing, Railways
94-98 St Albans Road Cultural Platform for Performance Identity Linking to Watford’s cultural scene
42 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 43 Cultural & Social Opportunities
, Social Opportunities - using design to ensure spaces and Young People – providing opportunities for local young places for residents and visitors to dwell and link with people to be involvement in design and so building neighbours. creative skills.
Communities can better connect if there are informal welcoming We will facilitate opportunities. through the design and spaces in which to meet and gather. We will create spaces within implementation of cultural projects, for young people and local the new public realm for informal gathering and for meeting, through community to engage and be part of the process. This might be creative design, bespoke seating and soft planting to create intimacy. co-designing specific aspects of the public realm, engaging with the design process, or actively making artwork through working We will also design spaces which enable and encourage small- with artists as part of temporary projects during the scheme scale community activities to take place such as street parties, construction. This will help ensure local residents can become music or picnics, for small street markets to take place and for arts involved in the development, whilst enabling individuals to build new activities to be hosted, such as Watford’s Imagine festival & events skills and a better understanding of creative careers. programmes such as Own The Stage.
Wayfinding – facilitating good navigation, influenced by Flexible Creative Space – a place in the heart of the heritage, architecture, stories, text, public art. scheme for community and professional creative making, Through creative way finding such as public art, unique seating or exhibiting, selling and learning. planting, local and heritage stories and narratives will be integrated within the public realm to create distinctive markers in the We will provide & design one or more spaces which will provide landscape. affordable creative workspace for artists and makers, as well as space for community learning and buying.
Heritage & Production Narrative – making industrial and design heritage visible in the Place for Performance - linking to Watford’s cultural new scheme, through contemporary art & scene, encouraging active culture through design. design. Spaces will be designed within the public realm, which invite The site’s strong innovation and production opportunities for small scale markets, performance or music to be narrative will be carried into the future through the presented and enjoyed, helping the scheme to grow as a new heart provision of creative workspace or artists’ studios, for the North Watford community. supporting local creative practitioners and industries, with opportunities through the year for the local community to engage.
44 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 45 Consultation
During the development of this strategy, we have This consultation worked closely with the project team; Berkeley builds on public Homes, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, Gillespies & stakeholder and Comm Comm. consultation undertaken during We have also met with Watford Borough Council to the development agree our approach and consider the wider Watford of Watford Cultural Junction Masterplan vision, and been in communication Strategy in 2018. with Watford Museum & Heritage Service to highlight heritage influences and priority themes.
We have presented our initial proposals during the Public Consultation Events held in December 2018 and had the opportunity to discuss these with local residents whose feedback has fed into the development of this work.
46 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 47 Place-shaping & 94 - 98 St Albans Road Cultural Focus Areas
In this chapter we propose potential ways to manifest the School Community place-shaping vision, drawing on the heritage and place- making themes and siting these within the proposed public realm and through activity.
We have developed these ideas through design workshops and conversations with the project team and wider Penn Street & stakeholders. Square
Mews Street
Green Spaces
Public Realm Engagement throughout
48 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 49 Robin Day Printing Railway Sawmills Penn Street & Square Chair A bustling new heart
As the main gateway into the scheme, this is a key civic space for gathering and passing through, by residents, the school community and those who work and visit the new studios, cafe’s and shops. As the most ‘public’ space of the new development, we propose for this area interventions which bring people together and are imbued with local heritage.
• Promoting dwelling & interaction • Giving a platform to impromtu performance & larger events • Making visible the school community • Acting as the main gateway to the rest of the site - building on the connectivity theme Proposals Contemporary Art - integrated Place-shaping commissions - will within the landscaping, may be reflect hyper local heritage such visible from St Albans Road & as the Robin Day chair, printing could include bespoke seating or railway heritage. and playable features. Railway heritage will reflect Public realm design to enable Watford’s connectivity and small scale performance, contributions to the wider world. gatherings & events and includes Live Acoustic Singing, Regents Place trees and greening. Martino Gamper Ercol chair exhibition, Public Realm with embedded public art text c Emilio Faroldi Assoc, Here East in- ground wayfinding
50 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 51 Penn Square - A place for performance
New public realm within the square will create an outdoor neighbourhood hub off the High Street, with cafes and seating. Here, the landscape design will play an important role in creating a new convivial hub for the community, integrating space for small scale, informal events and performance.
Watford has a range of outdoor Our vision seeks to support and nurture festivals and events for all the these, enhancing the town centre offer, community from music events such as well as growing activity across the as Own the Stage to the high profile borough. Small scale events such as outdoor arts spectacular Imagine markets, live acoustic music, informal Watford and the Big Screen film choir performances or children’s dance programme. groups bring the community together, celebrate Watford talents, and bring life to the streets and public spaces.
52 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 53 Paget Brewing Printing Railway Mews Street Plate A softer, quieter & greener route A softer, greener route with a smaller gateway into the scheme at the south of the site off St Albans Road, leading through to Penn Square and animated with the activity of the creative studios.
• Creative workspace for Artists & Makers • Creative community facility • Intimate Public Spaces • Seating & pockets of greening • Gateways
Proposals Creative Community Spaces Contemporary Art A 2800sqft ground floor artist/ New artist works integrated maker space with a community within public realm, such as offer - a flexible creative ‘parklet’ seating, playable features community hub for making and or to enhance gateways to the presenting arts, learning creative north & south. skills + additional scope for further satellite spaces across Soft green public realm spill the site – 2 x c.600 sq ft (Building out space for small scale social N3), 1 x c.2000 sq ft (Building & creative activity. A quiet N4) landscaped route with intimate public spaces and sensitive ‘High- Line’ influenced greening.
Cockpit Arts Open Studios c Cockpit Arts Archipelago Courtyard c Terrain nyc
54 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 55 Mews Street - Flexible Creative Space CASE STUDY: Two locations at Walthamstow & Turning Earth, London Hoxton
Turning Earth E10 is a new centre for Watford Cultural Strategy (2018-25) identifies ceramics that opened in the Lee Valley a need and demand for affordable creative in March 2017, in the 8,500 sq ft top workspace for artists and makers, and space where floor of an old hardware factory. all ages can get creative, learn new skills, display The centre includes a large open-plan and buy work. membership studio where part-time professional makers, serious hobbyists Creative Industries Federation data In Watford, as in many places, and beginners work together in a shows that the creative industries, affordable creative spaces have community environment, with the including artists and designer makers, been lost in recent years and there benefit of shared facilities. The space are the fastest growing section of the is currently no affordable creative also includes a classroom for ceramics UK economy. This success, which helps workspace provision catering courses for those new to the craft, unlock growth and innovation in other specifically for artists and designers where 13 courses a week are taught by sectors too, stretches from established makers. Models are developing which professional artists. international brands to micro- devise ways for creative professionals to enterprises and many freelancers. offer local social benefit, in exchange for subsidised rents and fit-out support to make spaces fit for purpose.
CASE STUDY: CASE STUDY: Art4Space Cockpit Studios, London
A not-for-profit social enterprise founded and run by professional An award winning social enterprise & artists, providing community and school workshops, public art business incubator for craftspeople projects and training. Finalist Lambeth Leadership Awards 2016 to develop creative businesses, Best Social Enterprise for Impact; Best Creative and Community with professional development Business, Lambeth 2012 support, public exhibitions and selling opportunities, over several London locations.
56 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 57 Paget Printing Railway Sawmills Green spaces Plate Connecting to nature & opportunity to socialise
New planting will transform the retail landscape, introduce colour and wildlife, and promote well- being. This development will bring some much needed green space to St Albans Road, affording both residents and visitors the opportunity to relax and connect with nature.
• Nature trail • Encouraging biodiversity • Opportunities to come together • Community gardening
Subtle interpretation to highlight Create areas of community the variety of species inhabiting planting to increase opportunities the site boundary. for social interaction. Enabling the creation of community Interpretation panels would gardening groups will develop include a pictorial description residents’ skills to equip them to aid identification and text to with tools to manage these describe the species and its spaces and foster a sense of relevance to the local ecology. ownership.
The interpretation would be fabricated from high-quality robust materials. The Big Eat, Urban Orchard Southwark, Nature Trail marker
58 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 59 Robin Day Paget Railway Printing School Community Chair Strengthen Identity & Participation
Projects to strengthen and make visible the identity & participation of the new school community.
• A Welcoming School Entrance • A Playable Courtyard • Connection with Penn Square
Proposals
An Artist Commission Commissions will involve young To enhance the school entrance people in design development as gateway and integrating an learning opportunities linked to extended school entrance into creative careers. Penn Square public realm to highlight the route.
Playful Features Welcoming creative playful features within the internal school courtyard.
Zine Making workshop, Publicrealmz, Push & Pull fence in Battersea D-P-Q
60 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 61 Paget Printing Railway Public Realm Plate Informal play & discovery
We proposed to look for opportunities to integrate interventions within the public realm, which encourage play and moments of discovery. Inspired by local heritage, these will help to create a new and evolving place identity for the development.
23 • Playable space • Penn Square & School Entrance • Mews Street • Green Routes East & South
Proposals
Play on the Way Inspired by heritage themes of A family of creative, playful and printing, railway or the Paget interactive ‘play on the way’ Plate Process. features. Trail of heritage inspired stories
Heritage and discovery themes or memoires of the local area. Seek out more than 50 facts hidden around can be embedded in the design This could be captured through the Park of site-specific street furniture, an oral history project, artist such as benches, steps and led-commission or local research lighting, and be used as a means and embedded within the public to add a layer of local meaning realm. to functional elements, such as ventilation shafts and signage. Alphabet seating for London Design Festival, Jeppe Hein Public Art Seating, Art in the Park project, Kellenberger-White Alphabet Chairs
62 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 63 Community Engagement Pre-construction to occupation
From the outset of construction, there will be opportunities to use the hoardings creatively and invite the local community to contribute. Our aim is to create a platform for identity to emerge constructively. In this way, place-making becomes a collaborative process, shaped by the community.
Other opportunities for community involvement will be created through a series of ‘Destination from the Outset’ projects including:
Creative Engagement & Linking to the wider Watford Consultation to develop locally Culture Programme e.g. Watford relevant themes, this may Film Festival, Watford Fringe, include contemporary printing Imagine Watford, Hertfordshire & photography or participatory Year of Culture 2020, Own the projects which may be linked Stage, Big Events. to temporary or permanent art commissions. Community participation & involvement in the curation of Possible involvement in Public public events. Art Commissioning, setting up a cultural steering group with local Enabling the creation of representation, commenting on community gardening groups for briefs & a role in the selection the community planters. process.
Flocking Birds gateway project, Site Specific Creative Public Hoarding, Ciara Philips MCA Print Worshop c Daniel Boud
64 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 65 Wider Watford Linking to the wider WELCOME TO place-shaping WATFORD
Our place shaping vision can influence and draw upon the developing plans for wider Watford by setting out aspirations and successful precedents to support:
• The Watford Junction Masterplan
• Clarendon Road redevelopment
• The North Watford experience
• Wayfinding & Navigation throughout the town centre
• Town centre branding
4. Masterplan Strategy & Delivery
16 a. Masterplan Strategy
4.1 The Masterplan Strategy shows the key desired outcomes of the Masterplan SPD including the improved station facilities and parking, access improvements, arrival spaces, density levels and any sensitive edges that should be considered. 4.2 Key challenge of the potential masterplan outputs will be the incorporation of the existing concrete batching plant in such a way that it will not disturb the nearby SPD development. 4.3 Central publicspaces will need to be provided, creating the heart of the new development, as shown on Figure 18.
KEY
Grade II Listed Building
Locally Listed Building
Conservation Area
Concrete Batching Plant Watford Junction Masterplan Existing Railway
Existing Main Vehicle Road
Station Car Parking
Station Redevelopment
New Bus Station
Public Open Space
High Density Development
Low Density Development
Landmark Building
Main Access Road Retained Access Photos Retained Tunnel Pedestrian Movement Watford BID Banner Improved Streetscape Respond to Residential Boundary Left, Watford Junction Respond to Industrial Boundary Figure 18: Site strategy for Watford Junction SPD Boundary Masterplan
66 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 67 LANDSCAPE STRATEGIES Integrating proposals within theindi landscapeCAtiVe PUBLiC Art strAtegY
By developingThe site has a a diverse place-shaping and rich heritage and vision character presenting an KEY We are working closely opportunity to develop an exciting public art / cultrual strategy. with Gillespies to create within the early stages of the design we canDPQ help have integratebeen engaged bysite-specific Berkley Homes to develop a cultural strategy for opportunities to embed the site, which goes into greater detail regarding the type, location and process themesto withbring the the strategy built to life. environment, and LANDSCAPE STRATEGIES proposals with the new help shape the identity from the outset The diagram opposite aims to indicatively illustrate where potential locations indiCAtiVe PUBLiC Art strAtegY landscaping wherever whilst usingfor public existingart may occur. budgets This will be refined efficiently. and developed at the next stage possible. of design.
The site has a diverse and rich heritage and character presenting an KEY opportunity to develop an exciting public art / cultrual strategy.
DPQ have been engaged by Berkley Homes to develop a cultural strategy for the site, which goes into greater detail regarding the type, location and process to bring the strategy to life.
The diagram opposite aims to indicatively illustrate where potential locations for public art may occur. This will be refined and developed at the next stage Heritage interpretations Paving inserts/ engravings Play installations of design.
Heritage interpretations Paving inserts/ engravings Play installations
Sculptural furniture School Gates Feature Vents
Sculptural furniture School Gates Feature Vents
Gillespie Public Art Location Plan Railway Inspired Creative Studios Spillout Railway Inspired Public Realm Nature Signage Creative Studios Spillout Public Realm Nature Signage N N PUBLiC Art strAtegY diAgrAm - sCALe 1:1000 PUBLiC Art strAtegY diAgrAm - sCALe 1:1000 68 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 69
31 94-98 ST ALBANS ROAD, WATFORD / STAGE 2 REPORT 31 94-98 ST ALBANS ROAD, WATFORD / STAGE 2 REPORT Commissioning Public Art
Introduction Commissioning Group
A successful commission needs to be led by people with The role of the commissioning group needs to be clearly vision and, in addition to the client and project team, may defined: it may be advisory only or it may be the decision- include external members such as the local authority and making body. A further technical panel might be formed local residents or arts organisations. to advise on practical or site-related issues.
The Artist’s Brief Membership of the commissioning group might include: representative(s) of the commissioning organisation; The artist’s brief is essential. It features at two points art experts; artists; representative(s) of the developer; in the commissioning process: at the start, to guide community representative; other local stakeholders; the artist’s response and to be appended to an artist’s representative of funder or other partners. contract. A good brief should be clear but not too prescriptive and include all aspects of the commission including aims & objectives, artist’s role, contextual information, site information, budget, programme, GROUP B
longevity & maintenance requirements. In addition, it Take 15 minutes to walk down the street - walk up and down it three times. should provide clear information as to the commissioning Walk 3: Concentrate the space process, contract requirements, statutory authority around your head
Walk 2: Concentrate the obligations and required insurance cover. environment around your body
Walk 1: Concentrate only on the ground condition - ie at the level Artist Commissioning of your ankles
MAP POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE FINDINGS IN QUICK SKETCHES There are several options for commissioning public art POSITIVE NEGATIVE and this may be driven by the local authority’s public art strategy, if one exists. Commissions can be by direct appointment, invitation or open call. Open call commissions will be advertised on procurement websites and using the arts media and local arts networks to allow an open selection process.
70 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 71
Urban Sages Great Guildford Street Community Engagement Ensuring Quality
The support of local people is essential to develop local pride and Quality is not just about materials. It also refers to the quality of ownership in the work of art. All new art commissions for the public thought and approach, and to the diversity of creative solutions realm should seek to involve the public in their creation in some brought to bear on the development of a project. way. At the very least this should involve community consultation, but could involve local people the commissioning process, or Quality projects arise from the combination of a suitably skilled and participating in producing or making the work of art. The aspiration inspirational artist and an engaged and demanding commissioner/ and responsibility for this aspect of the project should be clarified at steering group. Well-written and inspiring project briefs and the outset. thorough pre-planning are vital in laying the foundations for a quality outcome. Critical appraisal of the artist’s design development is Community engagement can: crucial in fostering quality projects.
• result in wider sense of ownership and understanding of the Evaluation project It is important to build in a documentation and evaluation process • create a sense of pride and raise awareness/appreciation of the from the outset. This not only ensures that a detailed record of the locality project is available for future reference; it also helps promote the • provide opportunities to develop and utilise local skills project wider afield. By comparing the actual chain of events with • provide a means by which the community can have control over its the planned, it will be easier to undertake evaluation of the project. environment • provide an opportunity for new and existing members of the By carrying out a full evaluation, the commissioner can demonstrate community to collaborate, socialise and be creative. to all parties involved, including funding partners, the success of the project, learn from the process and plan confidently for future Ideally there should be an initial period of engagement by the project projects. commissioner with the community prior to the artist’s selection so as to feed into the brief and to identify a member of the community Celebration willing to sit on the commissioning group. It is also important to plan some form of ‘unveiling’ or inauguration to make a project’s completion. This recognises all the hard work which has gone into the project and celebrates what has been achieved. It also provides an opportunity to publicise the project and gain, through media publicity, some recognition and feedback on the scheme. This is an opportunity to thank the artist/s and the community that have contributed to the project.
72 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 73 Photo credits About Dallas-Pierce-Quintero
All images © Dallas-Pierce-Quintero or otherwise credited We’re passionate about using art and design to enrich people’s lives. We Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to Next Steps enliven public spaces, craft beautiful obtain their permission for the use of copyright material. We architecture, create meaningful public apologise for any errors or omissions in the above list and art and envisage cultural strategies for would be grateful if notified of any corrections that should be places experiencing change. incorporated in future reprints or editions of this booklet. Our experience in delivering art and architecture projects gives us a We will work with Berkeley Homes and Watford unique advantage in working with local Thanks government, developers and cultural Borough Council to establish the following steps: organisations to develop cultural With thanks in particular to Wandsworth strategies for places undergoing transformation. Museum, for heritage research support. • A set of Best Practice Commissioning Principles, We have successfully delivered cultural strategies for developments across to guide our working process and ensure the UK, each with their own unique quality. challenges and aspirations. This work is highly site-specific; exploring places, spaces and engaging the people • A Cultural Place-Shaping Steering Group - to that inhabit them through on-going dialogue to highlight existing cultural inform our practice and programme. assets and define a foundation from which to build a vision for the future. • A Detailed Programme of contemporary cultural projects & commissions together with a Delivery Timeline. Contact Details
• We will explore opportunities to integrate Studio NS23 Netil House cultural and place-shaping projects within 1 Westgate Street London E8 5RL existing budgets and ring-fence funds for commissioning. www.d-p-q.uk +44 (0)208 088 1880 • We will link to the Estate Management Plan to explore capacity to manage future cultural and community activity and any permanent commissions.
• Our initial focus will be to appoint an artist to work in collaboration with the local community to commission a site-specific hoarding artwork. This will soften the site boundary during demolition and early construction.
74 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero 94-98 St Albans Rd Place-Shaping & Cultural Vision 75 Commissioned by
Berkeley Homes
Lead Consultants
Dallas-Pierce-Quintero
76 Dallas–Pierce–Quintero