Ilfracombe SEAFRONT REGENERATION STRATEGY

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1 introduction Tourism is a key industry for Ilfracombe, but one which has been in gradual decline since the 60 s and 70 s. The decline in tourism has led to a decline in key areas of the town and we need to regenerate these areas in order to secure Ilfracombe s future prosperity. One of our key strategies is to make Ilfracombe a tourism and leisure hub for the area not just attracting people who want to make Ilfracombe their base for their stay but also attracting more day visitors, increasing both the length of time they spend in the town and the amount they spend. There are some real opportunities for Ilfracombe to improve our tourism economy if we can improve what we offer to visitors. These opportunities include, the new proposed ferry service from Wales, and the increasing trend towards taking UK based holidays. One of our key regeneration sites, is the seafront including the museum and the theatre and the surrounding area. In January of this year we received funding from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment s (CABE) Sea Change grant programme to undertake a feasibility study for the regeneration of this area. These funds were matched with funds from North Devon Council, Devon County Council and the South West Regional Development Agency. In February this year, we appointed a consortium, led by Perfect Moment, with a brief to develop a bold and innovative vision for the regeneration of the Seafront, using an improved cultural offer as a major driver. It is the regeneration partnership s view that an improved cultural quality of life for residents and attracting inward investment from more entrepreneurial, higher-skilled people. This exhibition, highlights the results of the teams work, undertaken at great speed against a challenging Sea Change deadline. Partners to the regeneration of Ilfracombe have already seen this outline scheme and have given it a very positive and enthusiastic response. We very much welcome your response to the ideas presented here and trust that we will be able to move on to the next stage with the support of the town s residents. John Swan (Chair of the Seafront Regeneration Steering Group)

2 the museum

3 gallery & exhibition space WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE PLACE? supported by professional artists artists and makers Devon College WHY EXHIBITION SPACE? greatly to what could be on offer in the new enhanced building. would stimulate the development of successful private sector galleries there are few local upmarket galleries where practitioners can show their work could be used for a variety of uses.

4 museum design Museum Design Objectives The main aim for this design project is to create a buildng that will expand and develop the best attributes of the existing Ilfracombe museum and then enhance them by introducing new elements which integrate with the adjoining existing buildings and public spaces. There are a number of design issues that can be addressed in this strategy areas. then spend more time there

5 museum design Brief Development Existing Museum The treasure chest quality of the existing museum galleries will be retained Drama within the museum will be enhanced as spaces open to the underside of the new roof to this area Admin/Archive Circulation which will be both light and dramatic Education Suite Gallery/ Exhibition Space Shop plan showing relationship of spaces within the proposed building Entrance culture and the arts External Performance Space for use during local festivals which could be provided with a temporary canopy roof to extend its uses Café um and other new facilities Green Credentials Opportunity to upgrade existing museum Strategy includes sustainable heat supply for new and existing buildings

6 BUILDING FORM museum design the proposed building in the context of the new seafront strategy the internal design strategy perspective sketches images from the sketch model

7 Ilfracombe SEAFRONT REGENERATION STRATEGY INTERNAL SPACES museum design upper level upper level TYPICAL DAYTIME ACTIVITIES TYPICAL EVENING ACTIVITIES lower level lower level cross section activity courtyard museum admin/store long section museum museum lobby entrance hall/shop exhibition entrance theatre theatre cafe

8 INTRODUCTION TASK The aim was to create an overall Urban Design and Public Realm Strategy for the Cultural Development. This involved introducing a new and compelling vision for the Seafront, improving the setting of the museum, connecting the area with other parts of the town and creating better public spaces and routes for people. ANALYSIS & CONCEPT We undertook an intial site survey to identify the main constraints and opportunities that exist within the Seafront area. The purpose of this was to understand how the site is used and by whom, creating a platform for an informed and functional Public Realm Masterplan. public realm design DESIGN CONCEPT aspirations of Ilfracombe Seafront. These are and MAIN ISSUES The main issues for the site were focused on providing an improved and exciting offer to both local people and potential visitors to Ilfracombe Seafront, throughout the year. Whilst this study tended to focus on the Museum area due to the proposals for the museum building, the whole of the Seafront was considered within the design process. Enhancing the Museum frontage for easier visual and physical connection, creating more suitable space for events outside the Landmark Theatre and providing a range of activities to enliven the area, were all seen as priorities for the overall Masterplan. THE PROCESS The following work represents an early stage of the design process. If further funding is secured and the project moves forward, sketch scheme and detailed proposals would be produced following more detailed survey and technical work. SITE CONSTRAINTS Site Constraints Plan SITE OPPORTUNITIES To create a coherent and functional Seafront public realm, we decided to apply a needle & thread concept to our design. DIRECT routes make the site easier to travel through and connect the east and west sides of the Seafront and beyond. The SINUOUS routes create interesting deviations, encouraging exploration of key destinations and attractions within Ilfracombe s Seafront. The Needle & Thread direct sinuous Site Opportunities Plan winter summer all -year

9 SEAFRONT MASTERPLAN public realm design Capstone Access: Improved access to the Capstone and a more coherent layout of hard surface at the top. Provides space for seating, public art and information. Slide Take-off Culture Centre: Combined entrance provides access to Museum, Theatre, Gallery, Exhibition space, Shop, Education Suite, Ticketing, Cafe and Toilets. Observation point: Marking an historic feature, this platform provides views and interaction with the Sea / Natural features and the possibility of Public Art. Development Area: 1. Multi Use Kiosks for artists, entertainment shows, mini winter gardens, changing huts or exhibits. Could be individually designed as part of a competition. 2. Larger development on the site of the former Victorian Pavillion. Could be Winter Gardens, Hotel, etc. Public Art / Weather Shield Crazy Golf Museum Activity Space: Interactive exhibits linked with museum themes in secure area. Pedestrian bridge spans across space connecting areas north and south of the Museum. Seating Car Park Seafront Play Space: General amenity play space for users of the seafront - aimed at providing activity for young children and their families. Outdoor Performance: For use by Museum and Theatre for outdoor performance and seating terrace Town Plaza / Parking: Area of lawn and hard space for events, recreation and even markets. Can be utilized for parking for the theatre in the evenings or on special occasions. Features include impact lighting, water jets and seating areas. The Seafront : This node provides improved access to the beach, seating for sea viewing and low level planting. Shared Surface : To create space and diminish the road as a barrier, a shared surface for vehicles and pedestrians creates a distinct sense of place, calms traffic and reattaches the town centre with the Seafront. The Pleasure Ground: Marking the historic area of the pleasure grounds, this is a predominantly green open space for recreation and general amenity. Bandstand relocated from Runnymede Gardens to this area.

10 public realm design MAIN HEADER Main general text information etc SMALL HEADER Secondary text information and Museum Frontage I Play Space Promenade I Capstone I Pleasure Grounds LIGHTING STRATEGY A A C C C B B A B B C A

11 public art

12 public art

13 the team This feasibility study has been undertaken by the following team Perfect Moment is a team of project creators, developers, and consultants who specialise in bringing about transformational changes in the third sector, social enterprises and creative industries. The Perfect Moment team have been responsible for providing cultural leadership to the project, developing a new and more sustainable business model for the museum and advising on a public art strategy. The Perfect Moment core team have been joined for this project by Emmie Kell (museum consultant) and Alex Murdin (public art consultant). Gillespies is one of the most experienced and well recognised landscape and urban design practices in the UK and Glasgow and Edinburgh. The practice has established a strong reputation for imaginative site and masterplanning skills and rigorous standards in implementation. We have been responsible for the public realm design within the Ilfracombe Seafront, working within the team to set the wider strategies for regeneration and taking part in consultations to ensure that the offer of Ilfracombe is improved for locals and visitors. Workhousedesign is an architecture and design practice building a reputation for design excellence with a proven museum within the townscape incorporating additional education and exhibition/ gallery spaces whilst contributing to the wider strategy of regenerating the seafront. This included analysis of the museum in the context of surrounding buildings and landscape and looking at its role as a generator for a new cultural venue in the town. Roger Tym and Partners is a town planning and development economics consultancy. We use economic analysis and forecasts to inform development and investment decisions, advise on planning and regeneration projects, and bid for funds. RTP is responsible for assessing the potential economic impact of the regeneration proposals for Ilfracombe Seafront.