The first two images showing the potential design of buildings in the Cattle Market development in Bury St Edmunds were revealed at a Council meeting today (Monday 26th January). The images were presented to St Edmundsbury Borough councillors by Hopkins Architects, master planners and architects for the developer, Centros Miller.
One image shows the possible look of the buildings around the new public square in the heart of the Cattle Market development. The new public building — neatly integrated into the central block of shops and residences — faces out onto this new square. The building’s large and dramatically glazed façade will create a big two-way picture window looking out onto the square, and enclosing a further light and airy public space within the building. This new interior public space will provide an additional forum for events that could spill outside into the main square when the weather allows.
The public square itself continues the tradition and scale of the existing open spaces in Bury St Edmunds’ historic centre, extending the sequence of well-proportioned squares from St Mary’s Square through Cornhill to the Cattle Market and will be about the same size as Chequer Square (but without any of the traffic). The square will be able to host a variety of open-air activities such as, for example, ice-skating (as illustrated).
On the Kings Road side of the square will stand the 85,000 sq ft Debenhams’ department store. This unique sculptural form, already nicknamed ‘The Clamshell’ by some, will be formed from one smooth organic shape — possibly clad in a metal such as copper or zinc which can weather and patinate well with age. The main entrance from the public square will be formed by a curved ‘eyebrow’ rising from the ground on either side to form a double-height glazed opening.
Jim Greaves of Hopkins Architects, explained the design: “The Debenhams’ store is a large stand-alone building with functions and needs that will always make it different from the other retail. So we decided to exploit that difference and make it into an iconic, free-flowing and highly distinctive building that’s fun as well as functional. The shape is organic and provides a contrast to the more traditional ‘post-and-beam’, rectilinear building forms in the development. People have asked for ‘courageous and pleasing’ designs for Bury St Edmunds, and we believe that we have achieved just that.”
Debenham’s Property Director, Jim Murphy, said: “Bury St Edmunds is an important market for Debenhams and its continued expansion, and we are excited by the way the design is developing.”
Alongside the Debenhams and opposite the public building is a parade of timber-framed shops. “These relatively restrained buildings do not try to compete with either the public building or the Debenhams’ store, but represent a modern re-interpretation of the underlying tradition of timber framing beneath much of historical Bury St Edmunds,” added Jim Greaves.
The second image shows one of the new streets leading from Market Thoroughfare and Cornhill through to the new public square. Conceived of as ‘external rooms’, these streets will be lined with elegantly glazed shops at ground level that are covered by projecting lightweight timber balconies with timber-framed and clad residential apartments above. The balconies will provide weather protection for shoppers at street level and, through their delicate design, provide a subtle balance between privacy and activity on the floors above. The projecting ‘end-on’ gables also emphasise the individual, domestic scale of the buildings.
Over the pedestrian-priority crossing, on St Andrews Street South, the image shows the possible use of a high canopy to help screen the backs of the existing stores.”
Councillor Andrew Varley, Portfolio Holder for Arts and Culture, said:
“The emerging design shows just how exciting and innovative this development will be. From the beginning we set out to ensure that, by using some of the best architects in the country, we achieved something in keeping with the beauty of our town. We specifically rejected anything that suggested a sterile pastiche of former styles. This is work in progress and no doubt there will be controversy — indeed, I hope there is.”
Tony Williams, Development Manager of Centros Miller, added:
“When designing a new quarter for a historic town, you cannot just mimic the past. In Hopkins Architects, we have one of the UK’s most talented architects and we think they have produced some stunning designs for Bury St Edmunds.
“However, these images just show the evolution of the scheme to date. The designs will continue to evolve, and when we submit our planning application, probably in either March or April, we will be able to reveal much more. The public will also then have a good opportunity to make their views known through a further extensive round of consultation, which will include a public exhibition in the town centre.”
ENDS
Contacts:
Centros Miller:
Steve Bryson, Halogen: 01242 227499 or 07970 639301
St Edmundsbury Borough Council:
Cllr Andrew Varley, Portfolio Holder for Arts and Culture (h) 01284 753135 (w) 01480 466766 (m) 07958 790117
Notes for editors:
Centros Miller was selected as St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s preferred developer in mid 2001. Centros Miller’s development team includes Hopkins Architects as master-planners/architects and WSP Group as transport consultants. The consultation programme and public relations for the scheme is organised and managed by Halogen.
ISSUED BY MARIA ETHRIDGE, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033 Fax 01284 757032
Email: public.relations@stedsbc.gov.uk
