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Scheme synopsis
The Old Market Square is the city's guardian space, a safe haven,
a place to regain energy, wait and meet friends, be diverted momentarily
from one's daily routines and to experience spectacular and well
organised civic and cultural events.
A dynamic channel of water enters the square
from Chapel Bar leading visitors to the Water Terraces at the north
west end of the square. Here one can sit on benches and steps and
rest amongst water or under the dappled light of trees with a balcony
view into the events and activities placed in the square's unobstructed
heart.
The water channel continues across the square
as a route to Exchange Walk, Cheapside and the Council House. A
similar route of light is placed between Smithy Row and Friar Lane,
leading to Nottingham Castle. These diagonal routes will enable
access to specialist markets and popular events in the centre of
the Square, whilst at the same time ensuring pedestrians easy access
to all parts of the city centre.
Beast Market Hill and South Parade remain
as the destination for trams and buses, whilst Long Row with its
elevated view over the square and sunny position will become a terrace
for cafés and restaurants and a pedestrian avenue to promenade
and window shop.
Art Works will be created in collaboration
with artists as a textured surface inlaid with glass, metal or light
undulating below the surface of the Water Terraces, whilst a ribbon
of light will be suspended from the tram's cable posts, framing
the square at night and creating a rippling wave of light that passes
ahead of moving trams and pedestrians.
Designs
Click on the images for a better look...
Key points
It is our intention to make the Old Market
Square a vibrant space distinctive to Nottingham and its citizens
in the following ways:
- Memory and Culture - we recognise the original
reason for the square's existence by enabling it to be used as a
market place, both during the day and in the evenings to reflect
current lifestyles.
- Creating A Soul - we have created natural
places to meet and sit amongst water and trees and apart from the
general activity of the main space, a place to regain energy.
- Urban Connections - we have created unobstructed
routes alongside and across the square creating direct connections
with all parts of the city.
- Safety - we have created a clearly observable
space seen from every entry point, with the centre set subtly into
the ground with a well lit heart.
- Ease of Access - all routes through the
square are unobstructed by stepped level changes, balustrading and
ramps. The central space is flat and easily accessed by vehicles
needing to stage events.
- Layers of Use - the water feature can be
programmed to become a stage for performances or an auditorium facing
the Council House. The central space can be occupied by specialist
markets and events.
- Community - by creating a place where people
meet and in which events can take place we bring together the varied
districts and communities of the city, young and old.
- Materials and Surface - we will continue
the use of yorkstone paving around the square's perimeter and at
the square's heart we will create an inventive use of texture in
durable stone to last the test of time.
- Water - the water terraces will create
a sculptural focus to the west end of the square, providing a constantly
changing canvas of reflection, texture and light and sound.
- Light - a ripple of light will travel around
the square activated by the movement of trams and pedestrians. The
central space will be well lit and easily observed at night.
What now?
Now have
a look at the other five designs, tell
us what you think about them and vote
for your favourite.
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