KILMARNOCK CULTURAL QUARTER A VISION Keppie Design September 2017 KILMARNOCK CULTURAL QUARTER A VISION Keppie Design August 2017 Copyright: Keppie Design Limited All work appearing in this document is the property of Keppie Design Limited and protected under international copyright laws. No work is to be copied, stored, manipulated, projected or used without the permission of Keppie Design Limited. Photography Credits: Photographs contained within this document are reproduced here under licence and/or credited where applicable. Contents 1 \ Introduction - Background 7 Core Theme 6 : Extension of Green ‘Spine’ 42 - Purpose of The Cultural Quarter Vision Report 7 - Reinforce Green Routes - The Cultural Quarter and the Town 8 - Key Nodal Points - Site Context and Historical Analysis 9 - Sketch Illustration Core Theme 7 : Extension of Green ‘Spine’ 44 2 \ Cultural Quarter Plan Development - Pedestrian Connections - The Palace Theatre Public Realm - Visioning Feedback and Central Aims 14 - Palace Theatre Landscape Site Plan - Key Vision Themes 19 Core Theme 8 : Redefining the Street Edge 48 - Car Parking 3 \ Cultural Quarter Vision Themes & Recommendations - Sketch Site Plan Core Theme 1 : The Dick Institute Redevelopment 22 - Dick Institute Programme 4\ Indicative Cost - Sculpture Park - Sketch Illustration - Cost Report 52 Core Theme 2 : Loanhead Primary School Arts Programme 26 - Loanhead Primary School 5 \ Summary and Suggested Time Line - Arts & Crafts Programme - Sketch Section Diagram - The Vision 60 (Short Term/ Mid Term / Long Term) Core Theme 3 : Flexible Public Plaza 30 - Arts and Crafts Market - Public Performance Space - Sketch Illustration Core Theme 4 : Kilmarnock Academy Redevelopment 34 - Reinvention of the Kilmarnock Academy - Creative Studios - ‘Cultural Calendar’ Diagram Core Theme 5 : Pedestrianised Green ‘Spine’ 38 - Stepped Landscaping - Defining an Edge to London Road - Sketch Illustration 1 \ Introduction 1 \ Introduction Keppie Design Limited were appointed Action Plan (2015) and take forward ideas by East Ayrshire Council to develop outlined in the report (May 2016) entitled vision recommendations for the “Kilmarnock Town Centre: Building on ‘ Kilmarnock Cultural Quarter ’. the Integrated Urban Development Plan – An agenda for Continued Action”. Forming part of the Cultural Quarter Vision report: All of these studies as well as an updated • The Design Team observations and Town Centre Health Check will feed into analysis of the Cultural Quarter. and help develop a new Placemaking • Visioning feedback from key EAC section for Kilmarnock that will be Stakeholders and wider consultation contained within the next East Ayrshire events. Local Development Plan currently under • A resulting series of central aims preparation. informing the Cultural Quarter Vision. Importantly this visioning paper is not This vision report forms part of a suite intended to be a blueprint for the Cultural of studies which are aimed at exploring Quarter. Its aim is to provide realistic as KILMARNOCK opportunities to transform Kilmarnock well as practical ideas and themes which Town Centre into a more attractive place can be either adopted as proposed to live, work and visit. The other studies or be adapted to meet changing (which have all been commissioned circumstances. A strong Cultural Events in 2017) have examined the demand Programme is central to fulfilling the for creative space, streetscape overarching aim of developing and improvements to the town centre, and promoting the facilities which this options for improving access to the part of the town has to offer both to facilities provided by the Galleon Sports its residents and to those living further and Leisure Centre. Another study on afield. Kilmarnock has experienced what can be done to improve traffic challenges like every other town but, management, cycling and pedestrian I believe, we can separate ourselves movement, was completed in 2016. out and demonstrate a systematic approach, and investment over time, These studies build on key assets of that recognises the importance of the town centre identified within culture in addressing these. Creating the Kilmarnock Urban Integrated or strengthening a Cultural Quarter in Development Plan (2011) and Celebrate Kilmarnock is the latest phase of this Kilmarnock, Town Centre Community Aerial view of Kilmarnock approach / investment. (Google Maps 2017) 6 Kilmarnock Cultural Quarter: A Vision Background Kilmarnock is an environment of Finally, the 1970’s brought a different The Purpose of Cultural Quarter The Cultural Quarter Vision immense character and burgeoning approach to infrastructure, a one Vision Report creativity. The “Creative Place” accolade way road network was constructed. Drawing on the section above, a ‘vision secured in 2013 and the SURF award, for Although the one way system is now The significance of the Kilmarnock statement’ for Kilmarnock Cultural the Most Improved Large Town category considered to be problematic and Cultural Quarter project cannot be Quarter has been prepared, which is: in 2015, are testament to that fact. restrictive, it was at least a big idea. underestimated. It has the potential to contribute to the tipping point ‘To take advantage of the opportunities Historically, Kilmarnock was a With a new world-class College from which a new vibrant Kilmarnock presented, by the relocation of the manufacturing heartland exporting building, and a proposed regeneration current Kilmarnock Academy thus firmly quality products around the world. of the former Diageo site, it is emerges is palpable. A new Kilmarnock establishing the “Kilmarnock Cultural But towns and cities change; this is incredibly exciting that the catalyst which has respect for - and reference Quarter” . This transformation will an irrefutable fact. The mechanism for the 4th major cycle of the town’s to - it’s past. A new Kilmarnock which contribute significantly towards improving for this change may be economic or iterative development will be based responds to the aspirations of its people. the long-term prospects of the Dick geographical, but what is more crucial is on education, innovation and an A new Kilmarnock created out of the Institute and the Palace Theatre.’ understanding what outcomes of these enterprising cultural rebirth. collaboration and drive of both private change drivers will be “on the ground”; enterprise and public sector partnership. what will Kilmarnock become and how Kilmarnock recognises the vital role can Kilmarnock position itself to take culture and creativity play in attracting advantage of them? and retaining businesses and creating identity and community cohesion. This Arguably there have been three is key to establishing a sustainable and previous, significant changes in the resilient future. history of the town. Firstly, the decision LONDON ROAD to create a north-south axis (which became Titchfield Street in the 18th Century) gave Kilmarnock its initial structure and growth impetus. Second, the Industrial Revolution brought the Railways which, although STURROCK ST dissecting the top of the town, KING ST created the conditions for its future development. Aerial view of Kilmarnock Cultural Quarter, (Google Maps 2017) 7 The Cultural Quarter and the Town The importance of Kilmarnock town The traditional retail focus of the centre to the economic well-being of town centre surrounding The Cross East Ayrshire cannot be underestimated; has suffered just as the more unique the centre comprising, as it does, the character of the Bank Street Quarter prime commercial and retail heart of the has prospered. This remains an issue area, with the cultural entertainment to be addressed by a multitude of mid on the periphery. However, its relative to longer term initiatives. These will position in the regional shopping include the re-drafting of Planning hierarchy has been slowly eroded over Policy to promote a mix of town centre recent years with the development of uses and, in line with the Government’s competing retail and other facilities in Town Centre Action Plan launched neighbouring authority areas and the in Kilmarnock in 2013, redraw the Glasgow conurbation. traditional town centre boundaries. Recent planning consents and ongoing The relationship of a new Cultural developer interest in large scale, out of- Quarter – and by implication, the town-centre retail developments, both College Campus and proposed Halo within Kilmarnock and at other locations Development - to this new town centre nearby, have also eroded and raised vision is critical and symbiotic. A better concerns about the continuing vitality quality and variety of people-focused and viability of Kilmarnock town centre. accessible connections to the ‘new’ Top : Kilmarnock centre is essential for mutual benefits to 1938, National Therefore, the creation of an effective be realised. Library of Scotland. and practical Strategy for Kilmarnock Bottom : Aerial Town Centre to identify priorities for co- This study has had an initial focus on View of Kilmarnock ordinated action and to safeguard and Academy, Facing breaking down perceived and actual North, 1927, improve all the various functions that barriers of movement to achieve a Canmore the town centre provides is considered much more connected, coherent and highly appropriate now. pleasurable public realm. 8 Kilmarnock Cultural Quarter: A Vision Site Context and Historical Analysis The designated area for Kilmarnock’s Paradoxically, the Palace Theatre and Cultural Quarter contains buildings and