Masterplan of Pomona Island, Manchester.

Brief:

Depiction of the present condition of the respected site, indicating issues faced. #Analysis of Site: >>> The allocation of the site, north of the river, is based predominately around the manufacturing sector with derelict land spread sparsely over the site. >>> Research has been undertaken into similar sites around the world, most notably Duisburg and Bilbao due to a similar layout, coincidently also having a similar directive given to the master planners, Foster + Partners and Frank Gehry respectively, to transform an overlooked, traditionally manufacturing waterside area.

#Opportunities and Constraints: >>> Although the site is bound by the canal on its southern edge, which would normally act as a barrier for development, the canal can be seen as an opportunity, a focal point being so close to the city centre.

#Urban Design Principles: >>> The promotion of sustainability will be a defining design principle, along with the opening up of vistas.

Footpath

Major thoroughfares

Traffic bottlenecks

Pedestrian access

Local roads

Ship Canal

Focal point

Boulevard

Cycle Path

Potential Vista

Commercial

Residences

Forum

Industrial

College

Brief:

Rendering of the master plan depicting the final design concept for the site.

#Summary of Masterplan: >>> The majority of the site along this section of the canal will be demolished and the area reformatted into five sectors. >>> Starting from the west: A technical college to bridge the gap of education in Ordsall, an area of high deprivation.

In accordance with Salford Strategic Area Plan, the placement of four residential blocks to facilitate the need for social housing.

Light industry will be reintroduced into the area following the site clearance as manufacturing seems to be an anchor employer in Ordsall.

A shopping complex will be introduced to give easy access to goods and services to the residents of Ordsall but also to the community across the canal in Castlefield.

A low density area including a carpark and public forum will cap the eastern approach of the site, with a cycle path running the length of the site, adjacent to the canal.

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Brief:

Visualisation of the concept design of the site including detail renderings of specific details. #Justification of Design: >>> For the efficient use of space, an underground carpark has been integrated into the technical college, opening up space for a green square and bicycle docking station.

#Ordsall Technical College

>>> Along the alignment of the spur in the canal, a bridge will descend from the opposite bank to the surface, removing the need for installation directly into the canal side which would require alterations to the original industrial architecture. >>> The separation of the commercial outlets from the primary site based users, i.e. the residents and students in the west, was done to create a need to traverse the whole length of the site, creating a daytime flow through the site.

From the opposite side of the canal, a view of Ordsall Hall can be observed through an opening created using the dimensions of the college, framing the heritage building.

Using the relatively linear nature of Ordsall Lane, a boulevard has been created, orientating a view between Salford Quays and the wider Deansgate area.

The orientation of the residential blocks are inspired by the shape and magnitude of the original Pomona Docks, once featured on the opposite bank, if viewed from above

Crossing Woden’s Bridge, a low density view is opened up with the figure piece being a landmark piece of commercial architecture, serving as the eastern gateway from the Mancunian Way.