Cronton Colliery Architecture Competition, Building Contest England, Architect, News
Cronton Colliery Competition
English Design Contest: Building in England, UK Architecture
20 Apr 2012
Cronton Colliery Competition Winner
Location: Knowsley, near Liverpool, north west England
Cronton Colliery Competition – Winner Announced
Michael Lee Architects
Cronton Colliery design by Michael Lee Architects:
picture from architect
The challenge to design a pioneering new visitor destination on a former colliery has inspired creative teams across the world to push the boundaries of landscape and architecture. The Land Trust’s international design competition attracted 50 entries from all over the world, including innovative projects designed by teams in South Korea, Japan and Italy.
Four of the most inventive schemes were invited to the final stage – HASSELL, Hawkins/Brown, Michael Lee Architects and Edward Architecture & Matthew Riley.
Following an interview with each team Michael Lee Architects was announced as the winner at a private event held on Thursday 19 April.
Hassell
Hawkins/Brown
Michael Lee Architects
Edward Architecture & Matthew Riley
Cronton Colliery design by Hassell:
picture from architect
Cronton Colliery design by Hawkins/Brown:
picture from architect
Cronton Colliery design by Edward Architecture:
picture from architect
Euan Hall, Chief Executive of the Land Trust, explains why Michael Lee Architects were chosen, “Michael displayed a strong empathy with both the site and the Trust’s ambitions. The design really excited us and the creative consortia Michael assembled brought a compelling and thought-provoking ideology to the table. His ability to truly consider the built and open environments really impressed us and as such he’s a worthy winner of the competition. We look forward to working with Michael and his team on the project.”
A highly commended selection of entries, including the finalists and winner, is currently on display at the Leeds Design and Innovation Centre, 46 The Calls, Leeds, LS2 7EY, until Friday 4 May. The gallery is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
29 Feb 2012
Cronton Colliery Competition 2012
Location: Knowsley, near Liverpool, north west England
Cronton Colliery Competition Finalists Announced
The challenge to design a pioneering new visitor destination on a former colliery has inspired creative teams across the world to push the boundaries of landscape and architecture. Four of the most inventive schemes have been invited to the final stage for the chance to see their vision become a reality.
The Land Trust’s international design competition attracted 50 entries from all over the world, including innovative projects designed by teams in South Korea, Japan and Italy. The national land charity is now one step closer to finding the most inspirational design and funding solution for a new visitor destination and public open space at the former Cronton Colliery in Knowsley with the finalists being
Hassell
Hawkins/Brown
Michael Lee Architects
Edward Architecture & Matthew Riley
Cronton Colliery site:
picture : The Land Trust
Matthew Bradbury, Director of Operations at the Land Trust, commented “We were blown away by the creativity and vision of the proposals. Each one offered a unique take on the brief, demonstrating empathy and understanding of the site based on its past and future contexts, in tune with the vision and values of the Land Trust.”
“It has been encouraging to see so many of the proposals seriously considering the long-term sustainability of the new visitor destination at every level – from strategic development and modular schemes right down to renewable energy sources and pioneering closed loop systems.”
The eclectic mix of proposals include dynamic combinations of art installations, nature reserves and education facilities, eco-glamping, multi-activity centres, biomass facilities, viewing towers, ecological restoration programmes, wind turbines, improved community infrastructure, abundant opportunities for community involvement and creation of new jobs to boost the local economy.
Speaking on behalf of the panel of judges, Director of Planit IE, Pete Swift, explained, “The abundance and diversity of the proposals highlights the industry’s enthusiasm to create a truly inspirational new model of visitor attraction. The teams invited to interview at the final stage demonstrate outstanding quality, inventiveness and flair in their responses to the brief, site and context. The challenge for those teams now is to enhance their ideas, fine tune designs and focus on the financial sustainability of their proposals.”
Explaining the innovative competition, the Land Trust’s chief executive Euan Hall commented, “The former Cronton Colliery is a fabulous space that has the very real potential to become a magnificent 21st century visitor destination for the Northwest. By working with RIBA on this we are hoping to change the way design teams create schemes in the future. We believe that open spaces have the potential to be the catalyst for change and can impact far more than just the ‘environment’.
“The issue of long-term funding for new schemes is often overlooked but we are hoping that, through this process, we can go some way to changing that mind-set whilst providing a sensationally designed scheme for the local community and visitors to the site.”
The finalists have been invited to go through to the second stage of the competition with the winners being revealed on Thursday 19 April.
A highly commended selection of entries, including the four finalists, will be displayed at the Leeds Design and Innovation Centre, 46 The Calls, Leeds, LS2 7EY, from Monday 2 April to Friday 4 May inclusive.
Cronton Colliery Architecture Competition information from The Land Trust
Cronton Colliery was one of 65 Lancashire collieries at the time of nationalisation. Cronton Colliery closed in 1984. The 43 hectare site lay derelict until it was acquired by English Partnerships, the government’s national regeneration agency, as part of the National Coalfield Programme. Cronton Colliery ownership was transferred to the Northwest Regional Development Agency in 1999 and then passed to the Land Reclamation Trust in the autumn of 2007. The site owner is now known as The Land Trust.
Location: Cronton Colliery, England, UK
The Land Trust
The Land Trust is a not for profit organisation that provides a cost effective management solution for open space and green infrastructure. This land can deliver significant community benefits, improving health, social cohesion, providing an educational resource and uplifting the local economy. The Trust’s portfolio includes a diverse range of sites that encompass the whole spectrum of public spaces and from large country parks to small areas of landscaping and including ecologically sensitive nature reserves, play areas, community woodlands and urban parks.
The aim of the Trust is to provide long-term sustainable management of open spaces across the country. We own some 1,000 hectares of land, with a strong balance sheet to provide financial stability and secured foundation capital for our operations. Our open spaces are a crucial part of the social landscape, delivering a range of significant benefits for residents and businesses. Safe and accessible open space allows communities to come together and individuals to develop and relax through physical activity and recreation. Well designed and maintained open spaces are outdoor classrooms, gyms and theatres. They change lifestyles and improve health and well-being, so we take them seriously. For further information visit www.thelandtrust.org.uk
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