MIDDLESBROUGH: PLACE DESIGN PROJECT 3 JAMES TIPPLING Project synopsis Contents The proposal seeks to reconnect the local community of Middlesbrough through the introduction of an urban SITE ANALYSIS CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT DESIGN DEVELOPMENT room. The Farrell Review of Architecture identified the need for every town/city without an Architecture Centre to 01 02 03 have an urban room; a platform for local people to come together and actively discuss the past, present and future Location: Middlesbrough The urban room A networked landscape visions of that place. The focal point of the project concentrates on the current disengagement with the public Historic development Precedent studies Forming the programme realm such as Albert Park, a dedicated open space gifted to the people of Middlesbrough by the town mayor in Industrial transition Involvement with Northern Architecture Defining zones 1868. Located along Linthorpe Road, Albert Park is sited on a historic access route into the Middlesbrough. Heritage Local identity: A live dialogue Spatial adjacencies Site context Rising creative arts base Proposed strategy Urban structure The Dorman Museum Serial vision Economic climate: Lost identity Christopher Dresser study Site narrative Albert Park: The people’s place? Concept studies Accommodation schedule Site analysis Place-making Activities and uses Urban parks analysis Activities and seasonal events SITE ANALYSIS Tees Valley regional map Location: Middlesbrough Middlesbrough is the capital of Teesside and the Tees Valley and is renowned for its industrial, engineering and bridge-building heritage. Although Middlesbrough originated from the 12th century as a religious settlement sited between Durham and Whitby, it was not until the 1830s in which Joseph Pease of Darlington proposed plans for a town on the banks of the River Tees. Middlesbrough was founded to supply labour for the shipment of coal, termed as ‘Port Darlington’ and the Darlington-Stockton railway extended. The new town experienced a rapid growth during the early years with the population increasing from 40 people in 1829 to 7,600 in 1851. Charrette model documenting the key connections established along Linthorpe Road 1714 – 1837 1837 – 1901 1901 – 1914 1914 – 1939 1939 – 1945 1945 – Present Georgian Era Victorian Era Edwardian WWI WWII Post-war Era 1841 1868 1879 1904 1929 1967 2007 Bolckow and Vaughan open Albert Park opened by Prince Harrison and Dresser launch the Dorman Museum opened Dorman Long construct the Tyne Steel industry privatised Middlesbrough Institute of Middlesbrough ironworks Arthur Linthorpe Art Pottery 1911 Bridge in Newcastle 1982 Modern Art opened 1850 1875 1899 Sir William Arrol & Co. construct 1932 The economic recession caused 2015 Iron ore discovered in the Dorman Long begin steel Completion of the new town hall the Tees Transporter Bridge Dorman Long construct the unemployment in Britain to hit an SSI announce the closure Cleveland Hills production on Teesside on Corporation Road Sydney Harbour Bridge all time high of Redcar Steelworks 1800 1900 2000 Historic development Middlesbrough quickly established itself as a commercial hub, new businesses emerged and a local marketplace acted as the central core to the town. It was the discovery of iron ore in the Cleveland Hills in 1850 which truly defined Middlesbrough. As the coal market faded, iron grew in demand to supply developments in the rail industry and it was not long until iron foundries and blast furnaces appeared across Teesside. The rise of the steel industry meant the iron years were short lived and Middlesbrough had to swiftly adapt. 2015 has seen the collapse of steel in Teesside, destined to another period of transition. Gladstone’s visit to Middlesbrough in 1862 showing the heavy industries along the docks and Cleveland Hills in the background. Image from Lillie, 1968 Industrial transition 19c. Middlesbrough is conceived as a industrial port town on the Tees 20c. The town relocates south as industrial growth continues along the riverside 21c. Regeneration in progress as industries in Middlesbrough decline Heritage • Middlesbrough formed and driven by industry • A place built on enterprise and innovation • Heavy industries no longer a viable in the area due to the over-competition from foreign exports • Town’s industrial decline expressed through the local architecture and preserved ruins • What is the nest step for Middlesbrough? The old town district bound by a grid-iron street pattern (upper image) Industrial monuments dominate the urban landscape (lower image) Indicative map exploring the cultural legacy of Teesside Site context • Transport links surround the urban fabric • Linthorpe Road acts as the dominant access route bisecting Middlesbrough town centre • Growing presence of educational institutions (Teesside College and Teesside University) • Albert Park the centrepiece of Middlesbrough • Street pattern appears to skew and distort towards the public space Site analysis showing primary uses and transport Access matrix within a connections of Middlesbrough mile radius of Albert Park Urban structure • Planned form (street first) rather than a organic form (space first) • The town configuration remains largely unchanged as a result of the constrained urban fabric • Fixed street network restricts cohesion and adaption to social growth • Embedded urban pressure and lack of diversity • Predictable spatial design and built interventions Buildings of interest located along Linthorpe road (above image) Economic climate: Lost identity • Middlesbrough is heavily influenced by deprivation and lack of community engagement • People of the town constantly endure the repercussions of industrial transition • Identification of future enterprise such as the arts • Importance of demonstration and protest in a conflicted public realm • Need for collaboration and training to bridge the skills gap – platform for discussion and skill-sharing A repeating pattern? • Utilising public spaces for social gatherings and open forums Public protests held in 1960s (upper) and 2015 (lower) Albert Park: The people’s place? Albert Park was donated to the people of Middlesbrough in 1868 by Henry Bolckow, one of the founders of the iron and steel industry on Teesside. The park covers an area of 30 hectares in the centre of Middlesbrough. The Park is Middlesbrough's only Grade II listed Park in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. There are a wide range of facilities available within the Park including a Visitor's Centre, Roller Skating Rink, Cafe, Swan hire on the Lake, Tennis Courts, Bowling Greens, Play Areas, Bandstand and much more. Some activities are seasonal so we recommend phoning in advance of your visit. Additional points of interest include the Bandstand, a statue of Brian Clough, the sundial, South African War Memorial and a canon from the Crimean War. Ambiguous tribute to former mayor Henry Bolckow, founder of Albert Park in 1868) Adaption • Albert Park established as a place of historic interest and an ever-present public space following it’s opening in 1868 by mayor Bolckow • Principal approach from Linthorpe Road • Skewed rectangular plan divided into quadrants by 1850s 1914 axial paths – A layout still present today • The park has provided various recreational activities following it’s conception, including archery, cricket, boating, skating, golf, and children’s play areas Ordnance survey maps demonstrating the occurrence of a predominant axis intersecting the site 1890s 2015 Existing site Typological study • The character of Albert Park is made up of the formal designed landscape covering an area of just over 71 acres (28.4 hectares). • Relatively level topography and unobstructed surroundings • Integrating the urban fabric with landscape and biodiversity • Strongly influenced by seasonal changes – Summer sees the site full of life and colour with the trees in full growth while the bare branches of the winter exposes the park Annual sunpath (left) Principally landscaped area with several built interventions located within the site • Natural habitat for plants, birds, squirrels, and lake wildlife Indicative site section (below) • East lake denotes end of the journey through the park offering panoramic views Initial site response Teesside Modern sport University campus 1. Main approach and Dorman Museum 2. Lack of integration with university 3. Inactive façade of park pavilion 5 centre Need to align park entry points with main Local care approach routes homes 6 Ayresome Gardens 3 4 4. Concealed picnic area 5. Unwelcoming public facilities 6. Busy roads restrict access into park Outmoded 5 outdoor sport 1 facilities . 8 9 Current housing Dorman development on Museum former Clairville stadium site 7 Residential housing with private gardens Fire station 7. Allotment gardens appear private 8. Underutilised amphitheatre space 9. Social alienation Key views The avenues and clusters of mature trees, monuments and pathways, and views into and out of the park all 1 contribute to it’s character. The surrounding context and buildings are generally oriented to benefit from views into Albert Park. There is currently no principal vantage point from within the site, but instead forms a narrative progression of viewpoints and reveals. 2 1. Within the park Vista formed by the tree arcade towards the lake 2. immediate surroundings Clock Tower alignment with the bandstand and fountain 3. Wider context Fragmented outlook towards the Transporter Bridge 3 Concept development