Date: 18 April 08
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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Architects Make, in collaboration with landscape architects, Rankin Fraser and artists KOAN3, have developed three alternative masterplan design approaches for the regeneration of Speirs Locks for review and discussion with the local community and project stakeholders as part of an ongoing consultation initiative.
Common to each design approach is a longer term vision for the site in 2020. A key design principle is to establish the canalside location as a unique destination within the City and each of the masterplan approaches responds to this with the creation of active public realm along the towpath, whilst considering views into and out of the site across Glasgow’s skyline.
Approach 1, “courtyards”, explores more traditional street patterns with a grid of perimeter blocks in a tenement style arrangement where private residential amenity space is created in the centre of each block. A landscaped link connects the pedestrian route from Cowcaddens underground to the canal towpath, with a tall building at the canal basin signaling the site to the City.
Approach 2, “fingers”, emphasises the routes and connections between the City and Garscube Road up to the canal towpath. These fingers of mixed use development present gable end frontages to the canalside defining adjacent public space and allowing views to the City skyline between buildings.
Approach 3, “terraces”: green roofed terraces sweep across the length of the site, orientated to maximise daylight and sunlight penetration to private and public spaces between buildings. Building heights are generally restricted to towpath level to maximise views across the site to the City skyline from the canalside. Rising above the terraces are higher rise elements signalling the site on the City skyline, reminiscent of ship masts that once moored alongside the canal.
Each of the masterplan designs creates a framework for sustainable development over time. The aspiration is that Speirs Locks will be a truly mixed use development, with a full range of residential accommodation, commercial, retail and cultural facilities, anchored with the existing Scottish Opera presence at the heart of the site. Strengthening the link to the site under the M8 motorway is essential to the success of the area’s regeneration and the creation of a unique canalside quarter for Glasgow.
Project: Speirs Locks, Masterplan design
Architect: Make Architects
Client: Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership (GCRP)
Location: Glasgow
Link: www.makeplaces.com
Images: Make Architects
