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Title of report: Does Gillett Square design represent the cultural diversity of Dalston area
Report by:
Asha Farah
Ko721804
Kingston University
2009
STREET LIFE MODULE
CONTENT
Theoretical appraisal
Project Partnership 3
Introduction 4
History 6
Design Intention 8
Technical appraisal
Analysis
Site plan 12
Circulation 13
Pavement study 14
Tree detail 16
Conclusion 17
Bibliography 18
STREET LIFE MODULE 3
PROJECT PARTNERSHIP
Gillett square is a newly designed square aimed to be report, it may raise questions into how the designers could
a focal point for residents living in the Dalston area, The overlook this point when designing and therefore not
Square carries a theme to allow diversity of cultures to properly representing a particular group. This leads on to the
be celebrated and exhibited, as the region undergoes point, that much of our judgements about representations
a transformation both through gentrification and may be solved thorough community delegation on cultural
redevelopment. representation and can be used as a primary resource to
form understandings.
Dalston compromises a mixed population, of which 59% is
white, 25% black, 3% Chinese and 4% mixed heritage. The report will look into how cultural landscape are currently
designed, through three approaches, Symbolic referencing;
This report aims to explore the challenges of designing a create a landscape or landscape design element to
public open space to represent cultures, and how this may symbolise a cultural group or a region, Experimental
be achieved given the added complexity of diversity. referencing; creating a subtle linkage to cultural groups’
Cultural landscapes, have a diverse and very expressive, native environments, and Facility provision; providing
symbolic connection to heritage and beliefs. They activities that aid in the settlement and contribution to the
encapsulate the imagery and associations to create a well being of a community for example. Facilities that may
recognizable identity with that group. However at times be found in the native environment of the group.
this imagery may not give the real sense of culture, and
thus leads to distortion. Although this is not explored in this
STREET LIFE MODULE 5
Introduction
Gillett square, in Dalston, is located in east London and is.in activity in and around Hackney, such as the Rio cinema (the
the borough of hackney. This was previously used as a car only independent and community run cinema in the country
park with a north and south bay and dividing the two was show casing Turkish films), Dalston cultural house and Hackney
Gillett street connecting the main market street, kingsland to empire, cultural expression is never in scarcity.
Boleyn road. The new Gillett Square would be competing with well
established cultural venues and therefore may not achieve its
Gillett Square, has been modelled to celebrate the cultural aimed vision. This could result in limited usage of the square.
diversity of Dalston. Hackney Co-operation Development’s Through my observation during the day time, the square was
(HCD) vision was to transform the south bay car park into, almost empty with a few people using the kiosks on site. This is
‘A new cultural and creative arts hub for the East London in direct contrast to the Kingsland High street, where the real
Gateway’, aimed at giving space back to the large cultural difference can be experienced. This shows the square
community of Dalston and to alleviate the conflict between has not embodied the successful diversity of the Kingsland
pedestrian and car flow on Kingsland High street which is High street
adjacent to the square. With a wide selection of cultural
STREET LIFE MODULE 6
HISTORY
Historically Hackney is a place where migrant communities installation of 5 market pods, by Hawkins /Brown architects,
arrived, but as transitory residence in the late 1940s and facing the north side of Gillett Street. Market pods gathered
eventually some migrants began to settled in the mid 1950s. some interest with its design, winning the Design Week Award
as well as receiving the Civic Trust
Gillett street, first under went it’s transformation 9 years ago In 2000 Mac Donald Egan obtained planning permission for
when Hackney Co-operation Development implemented a high density mixed use scheme to the north side of Gillett
its plans to regenerate the low quality car park, on the street.
north and south side of Gillett street. The regeneration
would see a 1390 sq.m, if cleared, with a potential of over
40 business/trading stores. This formed the first phase of the
implementation with London Authority making improvements
to the surfacing on the adjacent streets to initiate work.
The second phased saw the new Square materialise with an
STREET LIFE MODULE 7
Land ownership and management
Hackney Co-operative Development has, over a period opting for alternative parking and created more time
of time formulated a working body to transform the for negotiations to take place with the developers for
Dalston area. One such projects was the creation of a Stamford Works to integrate their design into the Square.
new public space in Gillett street.
9
1
8
7
3
4
The design framework highlighted in the Landscape Design local community and by extension it is anticipated that they will
consultants Brief, July 2002, focused on 6 criteria to demonstrate use the square. However the market pods cover only 5% of the
how the proposals meet key goals and visions, of which were: square and may not attract enough people.
The character of the space is also represented by two cultural
Character: a place with its own identity. The Dalston area has houses these are the Vortex jazz club and Dalston culture house.
a strong cultural identity, Consultants needed to acknowledge Both mediums attract people to the square. Therefore the
this within their design proposals. square is depending on the success of these two venues. How-
ever,
The square is made active, with people enjoying the market
pods or visiting the Vortex, attending to the car park or simply
sitting or passing through. The market pods are owned by the lo-
cal community and provide services which are targeted at the
Design intention STREET LIFE MODULE 9
this does not satisfy the objective of the square, because on Architecture comes about as an expression of what already ex-
days when there are no events the square lies empty. ists rather than creating that social connection. Not only that,
but it ignores the dynamics of cultural make up of communities.
The main vision of Hackney Co-operative Development was for I believe square in its current form can not exist on its own, as
the square to be ‘A new cultural and creative arts hub for the mention above, it is dependent on the surrounding architecture.
East London Gateway’, given that the square is heavily reliant to Over time the cultural diversity may change this would not be
attract people to the two venues, the vision of the square is not reflected in the architects.
met.
T E C H N I C A L A P P R A I S A L
STREET LIFE MODULE 12
Analysis : Site plan
Legend
Pinus nigra ‘Austriciaca
7-8 meters, 3m clear stem
Timber bench
Cycle rack
Litter Bin
Stamford Works
Removable bollard
Signage
Pavements
Natural granite Setts
1:200 N
STREET LIFE MODULE 13
Analysis: Circulation
Legend
Gathering of people
1-5 indivualszz
Pedestrian movement
Cyclist movement
Vehicle movement
1:200 N
The site has a good and broad circulation with all floor space being used.
The two popular site has good access points with all three entrances/exists roughly at equal distances.
The car park is the most used function, when there is an over flow demand of car park space, the est side of the square is
used as the an extended car park, illustrating the adaptability of the square.
Event days sees the square at its fully function, with all three entrances providing good access to the square.
STREET LIFE MODULE 14
Analysis : Pavement study
h.
f.
e.
b.
g.
g.
d.
c.
b.
g. Tactile paving
a.
h. New 50mm macadam wearing course to existing carpark
STREET LIFE MODULE 15
Analysis : Cross section of the market pod
Fixing bracket
Timber joints 75 x 225 mm bolted to galvanised, angles which are
bolted to concrete base.
Stainless stell warning bars set into timber at 50mm centres Based to be laid to fall with gully/channel to collect water
for 800 mm depth top and bottom of stair.
Gulies
STREET LIFE MODULE 16
Analysis: Tree detail
Given that the square does not have a identifiable symbol or image
depicting particular cultural groups, it can be used by different cultures
independently. However users may not feel attached to the square.
Since the square is an open space the community can use the space
for their functions, this could enhance cultural interaction, however the
square space is limited and can only accommodate a small number
of people at a give time.
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