CONSTRAINTS, CONTEXT AND HERITAGE – AN ARCHITECTURAL RESPONSE.
When asked, what influenced ‘the Railings’, our third phase at Middlewood Locks, I immediately smile thinking about the design process we went through. Initially staring at the seemingly small triangular piece of land in the context of the broader masterplan, bounded by railroad, canal and electrical infrastructure, we scratched our heads wondering where to draw the first line and if we would realise the site’s potential. However, like many sites where constraints and context influence a design response, aspirational plans soon started to emerge from the drawing board and into a clear vision for the project.
The Railings needed to build on the success of the first two phases, but with its own character and purpose. The architectural language aimed to firmly root the design in the context of the site, whilst complimenting the architecture developed in the earlier phases of the masterplan. The response is intentionally contemporary in its approach with subtle reference in its detailing being taken from the surrounding industrial heritage and particularly Salford’s Rolling Mills which were once situated on the site. Crittall style windows, cast iron rainwater goods and traditional masonry details are incorporated into a modern façade that evokes quality and durability. Importantly, this phase also responds to the needs of a developing community and its broad demographic. The introduction of town houses and duplex apartments that open directly onto private gardens adjacent to the Canalside provides a greater diversity of homes complimenting and adding to the homes delivered in Phases 1 and 2 and in turn further supports the creation of a vibrant multi-generational neighbourhood at Middlewood Locks.
The importance of external amenity and a desire to encourage people outdoors has also been a clear focus of the design process with the provision of balconies, private gardens and intelligently crafted shared spaces that connect seamlessly into the beautifully designed public realm. The considered transitioning from public to private space aims to support community engagement, whilst aspiring to respond to the differing needs of its residents and visitors. Careful planning of ancillary space and car parking also ensures activity and vibrancy at ground level with residential front doors and gardens opening out onto the canal walkway and commercial units addressing the public realm.
Above all, we believe the development’s main success is the way in which it embraces and celebrates the constraints on the site, delivering a massing and density that is warranted in such an important location, yet not compromising on the importance of the human scale and the site’s permeability and connectivity within the outstanding environment already delivered as part of the developing neighbourhood at Middlewood Locks. A scheme centred by an overriding ambition to create a genuine sense of place, that we hope will continue to evolve and thrive as the masterplan transitions to reality. Has our architectural response met the site’s full potential? We truly hope so!