Collyhurst - Urban Design Project

SITE 10: ST PATRICK’S OPPORTUNITIES

CONSTRAINTS OBJECTIVES

It experienced huge population growth during 19th century industrialisation, however since World War 2, the area has been in decline. Today, Collyhurst is an area of many contrasting neighbourhoods; with increasing conflict between the wealthier professionals expanding northwards from the city centre, and the highly deprived housing estates of north Collyhurst and Monsall. our Site, St Patrick’s, lies between these two “zones”, and is within the Victoria North Regeneration Area; the largest and most ambitious in Manchester’s history.

Rochdale Road Skyline (1966)

Collyhurst Flats, Rochdale Road (1958)

Aiming to produce over 15,000 homes over the next decade, across seven new neighbourhoods The first phases of development; 274 new homes (130 of which being social housing) have already begun in Collyhurst.

Site

Sand Hill: proposed new tram stop

South Collyhurst Character Area

rapidly-developing city fringe

Rochdale Road: major local & city centre route

Irk Valley; rich GI and green route potential

Oldham Road: Major borough + city link

Victoria North: Phase 1 Developments

canal/river

DESIGN OPTIONEERING Gateway Square: capturing footfall from Rochdale Road at a key corner - with a large public square with active retail frontage, and feeding into the green heritage network St Patrick’s Community Core: consolidated educational block, expanding the existing school to include a public library and after-school centre, with a large interior playground Mixed Density Mixed Use: office frontage along Rochdale Road and gateway square (high activity zones) , with residential flats above to offer more consistent surveillance and footfall to the zone High Density Residential: using taller apartment blocks to screen against Victoria train line, while offering a visual landmark within the site Townhouses: permeable grid of 3-5F terraces; linking into the Collyhurst vernacular and typologies, while prioritising car-free modes of transport

CONCEPT

Green highlighting Collyhurst’s heritage assets; St Patrick’s church & school, and Heritage Network the New Allen Street viaduct, through a pleasant pedestrian route; linking the activity along Rochdale Road to more intimate, community-led spaces central node

secondary node

IMMATURE DESIGNS Option A: Collyhust Park

Victoria North: future public square network heritage assets zones of major GI site is predominantly derelict greenspace

Victoria Railway: major barrier severing Collyhurst Rochdale & Oldham Roads as major sources of vehicle activity; noise & air pollution low legibility local road network poor-quality buildings

unpleasant pedestrian environment poor legibility and surveillance low-quality views/ landmarking

Enhanced Green Spaces

interlinked network of GI-rich public spaces, both at a local and neighbourhood scale; notably a large community park along New Allen Street

Community Building

offering a wide range of GI solutions; integrating SUDS and seasonally-diverse species to encourage biodiversity and sustainable land management

Highlighting Heritage

Social Spaces

consolidating the educational/ community block around St Patrick’s - expanding services to offer after-school care and a public library (as well as a cafe)

establishing a large public square along Rochdale Road - Livesey Street junction; a key gateway corner which is perfect for retail frontage and a high-activity node

Pedestrian-Priority

formation of a green heritage network, improving links from Rochdale Road to St Patrick’s and the New Allen Viaduct through high-quality, green pedestrian routes

improving neighbourhood permeability and legibility by using strong urban blocks, with regular breaks to facilitate pedestrian movement

[for a more comprehensive breakdown of this analysis, please see Framework]

ILLUSTRATIVE MASTERPLAN

DESIGN LAYERS DAWSON GREEN

BUILDING HEIGHTS

named for famed comedian Les Dawson, this community leisure space is centred around a large sponge garden and boardwalk; offering SUDS and biodiversity

medium heights (high contrast to surrounding derelict land) to capture attention on Rochdale Road

central boulevard: named for Nobby Stiles, a Collyhurst local, playing for Manchester United and England throughout the 1960-70s

blends into surrounding 2F terraced houses 2F (approx 6m) 3F 5F 6F 7F 8F 9F 10F

while heights are elevated; they remain low enough to continue highlighting St Patrick, while also offering a clear height & useage transition from the surrounding 2F residential

CHAPMAN SQUARE Key gateway node, this adaptable public space has strong retail frontage and leisure spaces, with clear heritage links to Collyhurst and Manchester through a landmark statue and views of St Patrick’s

LAND USE

7-9F - Resi 1F - Parking

4F - Office

Church (& Accessory Buildings) Office / Rental Space Retail

2-4F - Resi

strong residential frontage onto Viaduct Park to establish calm, community-focused nature of the space; located at the geographical centre of South Collyhurst

2F - Office

avoiding placement of resi on the ground floor in highly active areas (along Rochdale Road + public square)

captures the key Rochdale-Livesey corner; creating a gateway along this junction, perfect for creating a large public square pulling back the building line to form this square better highlights St Patrick’s from Rochdale Road

ROUTES & DESTINATIONS

ground floor parking (communal)

more intimate residential GI area; SUDS sponge garden

strong central shared road; servicing/residential spine

A

high permeability of blocks

Key corner node: Livesey Square

Livesey Street is over-prioritised, and as the source of primary activity and footfall; links to Viaduct are poor (thus incomplete heritage/green route) servicing/shared roads are far less legible

GI Public Realm Pedestrian Route Shared Road

strong movement encouraged through core of site (rather than its periphery per other designs); footfall more likely to be evenly distributed across the site clear pedestrian pull from Rochdale Road; views into the site of central square and St Patrick’s

large community park

poor legibility (non-direct pedestrian links) and likely to fail in attracting footfall due to lack of engagement along Livesey Street open/accessible back gardens within the residential zone (lack of privacy/security)

VIADUCT PARK

large community park with diverse GI and activities; wildflower meadows, apiary, allotments, multi-sport courts, amphitheatre, cafe space

ST PATRICK’S

expanded civic/community block; offering expanded school facilities (including a secure, large interior playground) a public library, daycare and attractive public play and recreation areas

CROSS SECTION (A-A’)

strong residential frontage onto park to offer surveillance and to encourage use

statue/ landmark

use of building line to redirect foot traffic along Livesey Street and down New Allen Street

strongly pedestrianised around school block; major (green) spill out spaces to accomodate foot traffic and create meeting /socialisation spaces

PRIVACY

strong retail frontage along Chapman Square (activate the space) with large GI for shaded spill-out/seating space

Hierarchy Primary Secondary Local

Switch to shared road model to prioritise pedestrian movement along Livesey & New Allen St

PUBLIC

captures the key corner of Rochdale-Livesey: ideal location for retail frontage

secured residential housing blocks (terraces/ corner apartments); gardens no longer publically accessible

Corner Flat / Maisonette Apartments Library

Option B: Rochdale Square

pulling back the building line to better highlight St Patrick’s church & school (activated Green Heritage Route)

Townhouses

School

1F - Retail

Lack of pull from Rochdale Road to draw people down into Collyhurst and the green heritage route, with placement of buildings in line with St Patrick’s further obscuring views

clear hierarchy of public spaces; Active/Public (Square), Community (New Allen Street Park) and Residential (block interiors)

Increased heights along rail line both to screen and form a new landmark building

4F

creation of community park linking St Patrick’s and the Viaduct, tying into the green spill-out space for play from the school/civic block complete expansion of the civic block offers screening against the ugly side profile of St Patrick’s, while offering a secure interior courtyard for play strong block frontage along Rochdale Road enhances movement corridor effect

CONSOLIDATED MATURE DESIGN

forming a central servicing spine with pedestrian priority (shared road model); promoting car-free movement across attractive edges of site

weak character area

legible, strong central service spine

Option C: Central Node

Design Consideration: Community Feedback (URBED, 2020)

Residential

Collyhurst is a suburb of Manchester, a 15 minutes’ walk from the city centre.

Georgia Missen 10276054

ACTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Rochdale Road, Collyhurst

SEMIPRIVATE

Major Minor

PRIVATE

strong GI presence integrated into child-oriented spaces; providing a sheltered, attractive environment

GI as a buffer against vehicular traffic

A’ A

A’

SERVICING & PARKING

FRONTAGE & ACCESS

bo Os e rn e re St

entrance building;offering easy residential access from Rochdale Road and securing building back and parking entrance from main road access

shared resi frontages to increase eyes on the street (amplified by balconies and rooftop gardens)

use of alternating parking spaces (can be modified to include bike racks / benches etc) to create a traffic-calming effect, and a buffer between pedestrians and the road

1 Nobby Stiles; Shared Boulevard

t

relocated bus stop to boost footfall to square

es til

Dr

D Chapman Square (1,425m )

ey es Liv et re

St re et St Al le n ew N

Bus Stop Bike Storage Shed (sheltered) Bicycle Rack

retaining (limited) on-street parking to facilitate visitors; again, using this as a buffer zone against the more active central shared vehicular corridor

strong resi frontage to define park space & offer surveillance

Frontage Major Minor Retail (Active) Office (Semi-Active) School & Church (Semi-Active) Residential

B

E G

cafe space to activate Viaduct Park and further encourage use

A

D

H F

2

(per unit)

2

B Residential Corner Flat (4F): 7 units (410m2); 1B: 6 units, 3B: 1 unit (penthouse) average 12 inhabitants

C

A

Retained Heritage Assets: St Patrick’s 2 Church (1,220m ), Church accessory buildings 2 2 (860m ), St Patrick’s School (1,460m )

B C

Extended Church Facilities: 3F (960m ) 2 Daycare: 1F (1,050m ) 2 Public Library: 2-5F (4,030m )

D

Cafe Space: 1F (140m ) 2 Patrick’s School (Extended): 5F (4,290m )

E

Amphitheatre & Spill-Out Space (1,010m2)

F

Play Zone (690m )

G

(private) Internal Playground (2,775m )

C

speedbump to reinforce awareness; change from vehicular route to shared

2

Townhouses (3F): 67 units (10,050m ); approx. 170 inhabitants

C

2 Nobby Stiles; Residential Boulevard

Primary Vehicular Route Secondary Vehicular Route Local Vehicular Route Shared Road Service Road On-Street Parking Internal Courtyard Parking Interior Parking (Residential)

(total)

C Office Space (2F): 3,875m2 Residential (3-5F): 86 units (1,910m2); 1B: 34 units, 2B: 46 units approx. 180 inhabitants

ZONE B: ST PATRICK’S

generous placement of bike racks (especially around large public spaces) to encourage multi-modal transit

A Residential Townhouse (3F): 150m average 2.5 inhabitants

A

B Office Space (6F): 7,265m

A

D

No

narrowing to one lane in order to expand pavement in front of St Patrick’s to highlight its key facade

(per unit)

2

S

y bb

ZONE D: TERRACED TOWNHOUSES

A Retail Space (1F): 1,570m2, Office Space (4F): 6,995m2

B

GI to offer shade and reinforce pedestrian-vehicular buffer

communal secured bike sheds

ive

ZONE A: CHAPMAN SQUARE

(total)

2

Corner Flats (4F): 77 units (10,050m ); 1B: 66 units, 3B: 11 units approx. 175 inhabitants

B

C Viaduct Park : 3,875m2 Wildflower Meadows: 1,600m2 Community Allotments: 500m2

2

2

TOTAL

concentrating residential parking into a communal space, allowing streets to be reclaimed for public spaces and furniture

archway entrance with vehicular frontage road to permit entry directly from Rochdale Road (reduces strain on Nobby Stiles Dr) or other local roads, while retaining strong frontage to enhance the movement corridor effect along Rochdale Road

TYPOLOGIES & DIMENSIONS

KEY SECTIONS

2

2

2 H Greenspace: 1,450m

residential increased units population

816

retail space

1,570m2 19,825m2

1725

BLOCK TYPOLOGY

office space

public major public green space spaces

6,685m2

3,265m2 Ile-Saint-Denis, France

Poznań, Poland

Midway City, California

ZONE A: Active Market Square; retail frontages

ZONES A&C: Mixed-Use Office; strong frontages (especially along Rochdale Road), with residential space on upper floors (office space as screening for the louder/less private lower floors)

ZONE C: DAWSON GREEN

Access Points Commercial/Office Apartment (Resi) Block School

A

Vehicular Parking

3 Residential Street

D

E

Ground Floor Parking (1F): 2,200m 2 Residential (7-9F): 256 units (17,250m ); 1B: 64 units, 2B: 135 units, 3B: 57 units approx. 600 inhabitants

B

Residential (3-7F): 157 units (10,950m ); 1B: 17 units, 2B: 105 units, 3B: 35 units approx. 390 inhabitants (Private) Rooftop Gardens: 1,340m2

C B

C

D

service road to provide emergency access (if needed); parking will be relocated to communal parking in Zone C

2

A

E

2

2

Residential (4-6F): 93 units (6,030m ); 1B: 33 units, 2B: 49 units, 3B: 11 units approx. 205 inhabitants (Private) Rooftop Gardens: 1,125m2

Ecole Maternelle Pajol, Paris France

Seestadt, Vienna, Austria

Abode, Cambridge, UK

2

Office Space (2F): 1690m 2 Residential (5F): 80 units (5,360m ); 1B: 20 units, 2B: 45 units, 3B: 15 units approx. 185 inhabitants Sponge Garden : 1,360m2

ZONE B: contrasting ZONE C: large apartment blocks existing heritage by using with balconies and rooftop playful and colourful gardens design (linked to block use)

ZONE D: townhouses and corner buildings

DETAILING KEY SPACES CHAPMAN SQUARE

Dedicated to a long-demolished square in Collyhurst of the same name, Chapman Square is the key gateway into the site, and the South Collyhurst residential area. With active retail frontage along the ground floor, a bus stop directly opposite, ample spill-out space and shaded seating areas, this square aims to capture footfall off Rochdale Road and generate activity, and provide space for services for locals and visitors alike. relocated bus stop with shelter

strong external public realm allows for servicing to be offered through the block interior; parking and delivery bays, although GI is still integrated into this landscape

Named for local Collyhurst lad, and beloved Mancunian comedian; Les Dawson, this neighbourhood sponge garden nestled in the centre of a residential block will create a semi-private space for surrounding inhabitants, while integrating SUDS and diverse GI across the site transition to more seating/ activity-oriented GI; away from wetland conditions

CTIVE

RETA

Using a statue dedicated to local heritage; mining and textiles to further accentuate nodal nature of square cafe seating and spill-out space, while retaining a 3m direct movement corridor along the building line

trees offer shade and breaks up the large square into smaller zones

possible placement of geological mosaic; using heritage materials (e.g the red sandstone quarried in Collyhurst) to create a Collyhurst/ East Manchester formation - highlighting neighbourhood links and shared history integrated lighting to mitigate GI obstruction

Best Practice: StuyTown, New York

compact play areas using bright colours and encircled by pedestrian material changes to wrap a highways help break up park around a corner large pieces of public realm & increase activity

integrated with abundant shade trees and seating areas to provide microclimatic control

water fountains and other amenities to encourage use

offering increased biodiversity, SUDS and urban apiary opportunities, as well as offering excellent educational opportunities to the nearby school and neighbourhood integrated lighting for night-time use

TwinMotion

rooftop gardens to offer some more private resi GI spaces, but keeping some surveillance of Dawson Green

incorporating small play spaces to support family use of square

COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS

using a dedicated section of Viaduct park to form allotments; encouraging community investment in the maintenance of the park, as well as offering educational opportunities for the nearby school Best Practice: Vienna Urban Gardening Movement

bee symbology is another strong cultural link to Mancunian heritage

SHADED REST AREAS small inset

TwinMotion

Best Practice: West Gorton, Manchester

VIADUCT PARK

seating areas to provide privacy, shade and strengthened GI presence at the human scale

school ex

it

MO

Best Practice: Lingang Sponge Garden, China

1:1000

TP ARK

3D

L DE

UC

TwinMotion

DU

CHAPMAN SQUARE

ST PATRICK’S CHURCH

Best Practice: Lollipop Park, Shanghai

URBAN WILDFLOWER MEADOWS

Two Multi-activity courts (25x12m) offer mixed activity for residents (following community feedback for better access to football or basketball courts)

VIA

playful and engaging seating arrangements to promote interactivity

use of a speed bump to reinforce transition to shared road model; additionally use of sporadic on-street parking as “organised chaos”; producing safer, slower roads and pedestrian priority zones

ACTIVE SPORT & PLAY ZONE

aditionally, combining sport areas with recreation / play can help encourage outdoor activity from a young age

DAWSON GREEN

keeping the key corner relative clear from furniture/GI to preserve views into the square to capture attention

A charming Grade 2* listed Roman #Catholic church, St Patrick’s is a strong piece of working class Irish heritage in Collyhurst, as well as a strong landmark.

Its interesting romanesque-art deco style is also rich in architectural detailing; the use of white stone is particularly distinctive.

BOARDWALK

central movement corridor is preserved by offsetting seating into the arched section of the boardwalk (more leisurely zone)

Durham University, Geology Dept.

TwinMotion

1F - A

/ OFFICE CTIVE EMI-A 2-4F S E L SPAC GE RENTA ONTA IL FR

extension of the traffic island (+3m) to provide a safer, more pleasant pedestrian crossing

neighbourhood info boards with community events / classes / notifications

DAWSON GREEN

Best Practice: Place Dumon, Brussels using a local public square as flexible area for weekly markets, small fairs and local events; the lack of formal furniture/structures (as emulated in Chapman Sq) facilitating this

2 By reducing Livesey St to one lane in order to expand the public realm; St Patrick’s is better highlighted as a major cultural and architectural landmark also strengthens the draw (as a pedestrian) down Livesey St from Chapman Sq and Rochdale Road

3

ET

NEW ALLEN STRE adding a historical plaque outside the front of the church to improve interaction with the streetscape

regular crossings linked to established park & existing neighbourhood routes

1

ST PATRICK’S CHURCH

RELOCATED WW1 VETERANS COLUMN

aspects of more traditional church ornamentation against the modern art deco silhouette

Best Practice: Teikyo Heisei University playful amphitheatre; Nakano Campus asymmetrical block formations (max 1.25m) across three levels to create an interactive play-seating area use of mixed materials (yellow sandstone, wood, white stone) to amplify this

heritage neighbourhood link and offers a clear landmark/ meeting spot combined with the Amphitheatre

integrated play and GI for micro-climatic control (shade, temperature, wind etc) Creating an attractive school drop-off zone (with an emphasis on child-friendly design) outside the school entrace and along Livesey Street; a highly active, accessible, legible route.

Offering play and shaded seating areas, this area aims to liven up the school run, while offering incentive for use outside of schooltime using trough planters and bollards to provide a strong physical (but permeable) barrier between vehicular route (Livesey Street) and the pedestrian space

AMPHITHEATRE

using material changes to highlight the central node (thus the memorial and amphitheatre) as a contrast to the pedestrian movement corridors

TwinMotion

ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL PLAY AREA

material change to distinguish pedestrian movement corridor from play/leisure area

townhouse design - staircase arrangement of houses creates shallow 0.75m faces; offering privacy for front doors Additionally, this visual effect is reminiscent of the arched viaduct which once extended through the site; now acting as a strong residential backdrop to the park

key node

active movement corridor

TwinMotion

Redbrick as a cultural link; Collyhurst’s history of red sandstone quarrying and redbrick terraced vernacular, as well as offering warmth aesthetically; essential during Manchester’s cold, grey winters