Landscape & Urban Design Issue 25 2017 | Page 38

Hardscape paves the way for Kidderminster public realm makeover Kidderminster town centre’s public realm has undergone a dramatic transformation with a £2 million project to revitalise the pedestrianised retail streets and create two striking public squares. Hardscape worked alongside IBI Group and Wyre Forest District Council to bring the designs for the ambitious regeneration project to life with a paving scheme reflecting an iconic stamp. fan pattern created a striking colour contrast, picking out some of the stamps detailing. The scheme was a catalyst for the regeneration of the pedestrianised shopping district, which in recent years had struggled to keep pace with the adjacent retail development at Weaver’s Wharf. The re-surfacing of the pedestrian retail streets as well as the re-configuration of a key highway route through the town centre was also a key part of the project. Phase one consisted of the creation of two public squares, including Exchange Place, which was designed around the form of the Penny Black postage stamp to honour Roland Hill, a local philanthropist who founded the modern postal system and whose statue stands tall in the centre of the square. The shape of the square was based on the relative dimensions of the stamp and Crystal Black granite was chosen as the main paving material due to its durability, making it ideal for high footfall areas. Royal White granite setts laid in a Bogen 38 Landscape & Urban Design Originally a traffic heavy junction, the area was transformed into a pedestrian friendly public space that has redefined the beautiful Grade II listed Town Hall building, which overlooks the square, as the traditional heart of the town centre. A gold, silver and bronze colour palette was used by Hardscape throughout. This was achieved using natural stone in the form of black and white granites, Tower sandstone as the ‘gold’ standard materials in the main squares and with the Kellen Breccia Tagenta range as the ‘silver’ standard for the retail streets and highway route footpaths. Hardscape worked closely with the client team to help fulfil the brief to the finest detail. Councillor Tracey Onslow, Wyre Forest District Council cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, summarised: “As part of the public realm regeneration development, feedback from residents reflected our aspiration to highlight Kidderminster’s heritage, so this formed part of the brief to the designers. We felt that designing the Penny Black imagery into the new paving was a striking and lasting way of paying tribute to Sir Rowland Hill and his contribution to our postal system.” With over 20 years’ experience, technical expertise and range of ethically sourced hard landscaping materials, Hardscape provides inspiration for landscape architects for the urban landscape. Schemes like Kidderminster demonstrate the exciting possibilities in paving that can be created to provide public realm spaces that people can enjoy for years to come. For more information visit www.hardscape.co.uk