Earlier this week developers, Urban Splash, were shortlisted as one of six finalists for the prestigious Stirling Prize for their work in regenerating Park Hill, Sheffield.
Reported on BBC's Radio 4 Today programme, 18th July, this work was praised by both Angela Brady, President RIBA, and Sir Simon Jenkins, Chairman of The National Trust. Oliver Wainwright of the Guardian commented on it having divided critics with its 'brash colour palette' whilst at the same time showing 'an intelligent reworking of an ailing megastructure that could be transferred elsewhere'.
As a building Park Hill has attracted much controversy for its brutalist architectural credentials. Completed as a redevelopment last October the Urban Splash scheme has been a timely resuscitation for this Grade II* listed building, the largest in Europe, which after years of neglect, was on the brink of demolition.
Urban Splash design and develop housing and urban centres...So far so normal. But as a regeneration company they are something of an exception in an industry not generally renowned for innovative, creative or even very sustainable approaches.
Their links with Birmingham stem from their work with architect Glenn Howells in redeveloping the Rotunda and more recently working with shedkm on Fort Dunlop.
There's something of a credo about the Urban Splash business approach with Chairman, Tom Bloxham, stating, "we are very proud that we can swear an oath, like the citizens of ancient Athens did, that we will leave this city not less but better, greater, than it was left to us...,or as Chief Executive Jonathan Falkingham puts it, "It's about creating a new setting, a new address, an identity for place that enables and engenders a revived confidence in the future.
It's an ethos that's certainly been recognised with the firm having been awarded a total of 339 design awards to-date including 51 RIBA Awards; 26 Civic Awards; 35 Regeneration Awards; 24 Business Awards; 34 Personal Awards; 37 Marketing Awards and 132 in other categories.
They started in 1980s Manchester and Liverpool and as their website says, they had, 'no big plan, no strategy, no idea of what we were to become, just a wholehearted belief in cities, in design, in architecture and a desire to make things better.'
Famed for ignoring the property industry's three golden rules - location, location, location - they have added value by falling in love with old buildings that have fallen apart, are under appreciated and often in danger of demolition. They have used their 'gut instinct' to bring forward sustainable solutions and by bringing together a wide skills base they have created the sorts of places they would like to live in, work in or visit. Steve Jobs-style their assumption has been that there are other people like them interested in something a bit different, wanting good design and not catered for in the mainstream.
"We're focussed on retaining design quality in difficult times. We all have a responsibility to create something wonderful. We have a unique opportunity to mould the urban environment," said Nathan Cornish, Director, Urban Splash, speaking recently on 'Exceptional Ordinary Housing', as part of the Birmingham MadeMe Design Expo at Millennium Point in June.
Having transformed a range of older buildings including Chimney Pot Park in Salford, the Rotunda and Fort Dunlop in Birmingham, Chips, New Islington and 3Towers and Albert Mill, Manchester, Lakeshore Bristol, Royal William Yard Plymouth, and now famously Park Hill Sheffield, the business states that their success has been down to a 'deep understanding of what's been important about each building, and developing a unique response to each' - forcing a standard approach, in their view, would not have worked.
A common theme has been revealing a building's inherent architectural features and space whilst adding new, and sometimes stunning, contemporary elements. Another has been a strong interest in getting like-minded interesting users into their buildings and creating a buzz rather than just focussing on the bottom line.
By holding architectural design competitions they were able to draw in new ideas. In the early days of the '90s they held their first design competition attracting 160 entries. Chaired by Lord Rogers, judging took place in the House of Lords. Following a fastidious selection process a young Birmingham practice, Glenn Howells, was selected to design their first new build project, Timber Wharf leading to the start of a long-standing relationship.
Since then selecting the right architect on any project has always been critical. Design competitions as their first step have perhaps played a role for them something akin to 'open innovation', stimulating debate, challenging their assumptions, unearthing and creating some great ideas to move them away from the 'tried and tested' into more experimental territory.
So what of their Stirling Prize nominated project? The background to Park Hill lies in the origins and idealism of modernist architecture designed as a proud emblem of the social change heralded early in the 1960's when it was built. At that time its 1000 or so flats housed many families happily with its 'streets in the sky' boasting magnificent views over Sheffield. But by the 1980s the utopian concept had faded, the building was dilapidated and no longer a popular place to live.
It became such an eyesore that local politicians, almost universally, wanted it demolished. But there were some good aspects too. The original flats had been well designed with ample living space, sun-facing balconies and double aspect views. Built on one of Sheffield's seven hills they were conceived so the roof line remained level despite the steeply sloping site. At the highest point of Park Hill the flats are four storeys high - but at the bottom they increase to 13 storeys.
Urban Splash worked with Sheffield City Council, HCA, Yorkshire Forward and architects Hawkins Brown and Studio Egret West to develop plans for 263 apartments with offices and shops set in newly landscaped surroundings.
They maintained the concrete frame feel, giving special consideration to the façade with its significance looming as it does over Sheffield. Colourful anodised aluminium panels were used to replicate the coloured brick tones of the original façade and emphasise the modular structure. Floor-to-ceiling glazing was used where possible with the commercial space restricted to the ground floor.
They paid particular attention to some of the personal touches to bring out some resonance with the past. For example, graffiti reading 'I love you will u marry me' inscribed on one of the bridges, was used as the inspiration for graphic neon lighting set in the same location.
Commenting on their nomination, Urban Splash Director and Co-Founder, Jonathan Falkingham, said, "We are delighted Park Hill is on the Stirling shortlist. The people now living and working there are testament enough to the work that's been done, but the Stirling Prize announcement compounds them. It reinforces our belief that great design can help resurrect unloved spaces and create new communities."
Urban Splash Chairman Tom Bloxham added,"Park Hill's place on this shortlist shows that great architecture doesn't have to be the preserve of the rich and that schemes like it have their place amongst design's elite."
