MASONIC BLOCK
In its current situation, Rochdale town centre misses a sense of place and visitors can often feel ‘lost’ and ‘confused’. The project aims to create a residential masterplan for the retail park site in Rochdale.
Our brief is to create an in depth housing scheme, that reflects the past, present & future of the town. We aim to create a sense place within Rochdale and accommodate the various groups living in Rochdale. Based on ideas about Court and Garden and Perimeter blocks, a small section of the masterplan has been further developed. The scheme aims to create a place for residents to retreat to as well as enhancing pedestrian links to the town centre.
Perspective view of the relationship to the street.
A loss of public realm
Tom Schumacher gives Uttizi as an example of ground as figure. The spaces here are emphasised by the buildings surrounding it, the idea of subtracting voids from solids. This creates a sense of strong sense of place.
​
The Unite d’Habitation is seen as a ‘city in the park’ typology. This is where the figure stands as an object in a undefined void, placing the focus on the building.
​
The canal basin site can be compared to a city in the park typology in comparison to the centre of Rochdale. This creates a lack up public realms. The initial strategy is to create a stronger link between the train station and the centre of Rochdale.
Strategic masterplan for the town.
The site is split into 5 stages and the former canal basin is used as water features.
The masterplan aims to visually link to its urban artefacts and create direct links to its existing context.
A series of public realms and green links are created to link to the town centre.
Movement hierarchy. A series of vehicular and pedestrian links are established.
Perimeter block
Tom Schumacher gives Uttizi as an example of ground as figure. The spaces here are emphasised by the buildings surrounding it, the idea of subtracting voids from solids. This creates a sense of strong sense of place.
​
The Unite d’Habitation is seen as a ‘city in the park’ typology. This is where the figure stands as an object in a undefined void, placing the focus on the building.
​
The canal basin site can be compared to a city in the park typology in comparison to the centre of Rochdale. This creates a lack up public realms. The initial strategy is to create a stronger link between the train station and the centre of Rochdale.
Boundary treatment
Tom Schumacher gives Uttizi as an example of ground as figure. The spaces here are emphasised by the buildings surrounding it, the idea of subtracting voids from solids. This creates a sense of strong sense of place.
​
The Unite d’Habitation is seen as a ‘city in the park’ typology. This is where the figure stands as an object in a undefined void, placing the focus on the building.
​
The canal basin site can be compared to a city in the park typology in comparison to the centre of Rochdale. This creates a lack up public realms. The initial strategy is to create a stronger link between the train station and the centre of Rochdale.
Detail design
