Cornmill Gardens, Lewisham : London Architecture

BDP’S CORNMILL GARDENS WINS TWO AWARDS ON SAME NIGHT 13 Mar 2008 Cornmill Gardens in Lewisham, London has won a Civic Trust Award at a ceremony held last night (12 March 2008) at Newcastle Civic Centre. The project was also one of three schemes nominated for the special Partnership Award sponsored by English Partnerships. The award scheme aims to encourage projects that are culturally, socially or economically beneficial, and make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment. On the same night, at a ceremony in Manchester, the project also received a commendation at the BURA Waterways Renaissance Awards in the Area Based Regeneration category. photo © David Barbour/BDP Cornmill Gardens, was the first scheme to be implemented as part of the urban renaissance programme in Lewisham, setting the bench mark for quality and public realm. BDP’s landscape architects, service engineers and lighting designers have created an attractive and high quality open space that is already beginning to play an important role within the town centre. Lewisham now has a friendly and multi-functional public space that acts as a major circulation space from the transport hub, town centre, residential areas and planned future developments. Landscape architect Mehron Kirk said: “This has been an exciting project which has created a high quality public space for Lewisham. It is a place to visit and become immersed in, and where wildlife is close by with an appreciation of the local waterway. The success of the project is the result of close collaboration between the local authority client team, BDP, key stakeholders and the local population. The civic trust citation reads “Well planned from strategy through to development, the scheme has made a real difference to the area and has made the river a focal point.....The gardens completely change the character of the area and provide a high quality, popular public amenity and the intervention of art, lighting and signage provides a sense of local identity.” photo © David Barbour/BDP The BURA judging panel said “This is a very good and well executed scheme with clear evidence of community involvement in the design process……This is a brave local regeneration project based on the needs of the community as opposed to seeking direct commercial gain. It is clear the park will be an asset for many years to come.” BDP was also awarded two further commendations at the Civic Trust Award ceremony, for The Saltire Centre, Glasgow Caledonian University, and for Abito Apartments, Salford, Manchester. The Saltire Centre replaces an outmoded library with a landmark building that sits at the cutting edge of contemporary higher educational thinking. BDP was commissioned as framework architect, lighting designer and acoustic consultant by the university in 2002 for their five year campus redevelopment programme. photo © John Cooper/BDP The citation reads “This scheme has made good use of a difficult site between two existing building. A stimulating, non institutional building, it is a lively activity hub and focus of the university....Interesting, innovative and full of vitality, this scheme is popular with students, staff and the community alike” Abito apartments is a new concept aimed at first-time buyers, and people wanting a city crash pad. BDP came up with an innovative solution by designing the apartments from the inside out. photo © David Barbour/BDP The citation reads “Designed around a ‘pod’ to maximise the use of the floor area, all the apartments have balconies, producing light and clean spaces. A central courtyard covered by a canopy provides community space in all weathers. Overall an innovative and quirky scheme.”