Urban Intervention; Studio Project: Hotel Design and Public Spaces in Macclesfield, UK

Roe Street Hotel & Park Green Plaza | Macclesfield Studio A Malhar Ambekar MA+U | January 2023 Manchester School of Architecture | MA Architecture & Urbanism

Macclesfield

Macclesfield is a small historic town in the North West of the United Kingdom. It falls under Cheshire and is one of the significant towns, also due to its geographical positioning between major cities such as Manchester & London.

A substantial population in the town commutes to Manchester and London for work and business purposes.

United Kingdom

Greater Manchester

MANCHESTER

Cheshire

Railtime to Manchester : 20 mins Railtime to London : 109 mins

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

MACCLESFIELD

Macclesfield

Macclesfield’s history dates back to the 10th century when Saxon villages were grouped into areas called Hundreds. Macclesfield was the centre of trade, justice, and government. Norman’s conquest left Macclesfield in ruins and adversely affected by plaque, famine and decay. Macclesfield forest became of significant importance to the crown. Royal favours towards the town facilitated better trade and an influx of Spanish silk buttons in Tudor times.

The Mid-17th Century saw the beginning of an extremely lucrative trade in silk and linen. Wealthy merchants became involved in the silk trade. Charles Roe built the first mill in 1744. The Blockehurst family further developed several productions and the town became world-famous during the 19th century. Post the Napoleonic war, bankruptcy took over. The silk trade rose and fell through the 19th century. Due to new fads and fancies, workers were out of work.

RO

E

ST

RE

ET

The Cattle Market, Waters Green, Cheshire

By Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe Source: ArtUK

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Roe Street Hotel | Base Map

Macclesfield has an elderly population. One of the major concerns observed during the visit was the lack of spaces for the community to engage informally with each other or areas that could potentially host different activities and events. Even residents pointed out the abundance of parking lots as an opportunity for interventions.

Towards Manchester

CHURCHILL WAY

RAILWAY STATION

Considering Macclesfield’s significant history, it has several people visiting as tourists. In addition, a certain population would be expected due to the proposed Cultural Center intervention, which would require an accommodating hotel in Macclesfield.

Macclesfield residents requested and suggested a hotel. The allied facilities around a hotel and visitor engagement could benefit the town’s economy.

RO

E

ST

RE

ET

Railway Station

HERITAGE CENTER

ROE STREET HOTEL SITE

Roe Street Hotel

PARK GREEN

Towards London Legend Arterial & Primary Road Historical Streets

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Roe Street Hotel | Site

1

3 2

SITE VISIT : Availability of space due to underutilization and negligence was strikingly evident. In addition to its focal point and geometrical expanse, this site served as a suitable location for a much-needed hotel and social gathering spaces in Macclesfield.

VIEW 1

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

VIEW 2

VIEW 3

KEY PLAN

Roe Street Hotel | Concept CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES

CONCEPTUAL MASSING

Hotel core block

Hotel rooms

Balcony voids

Hotel rooms

Base Mass block

Balcony Cafe & common public amenities The Hotel

Amphitheatre level Restaurant/Cafe

Hotel Entry (under the deck)

Cafe & other common public amenities Restaurant/Cafe

The hotel form provides flexibility in terms of its arrangement for the subsequent rooms and accesses. It would also allow more logistical options for hotel administration.

The bottom floor serves as a cafeteria whereas the first floor/upper deck spills onto the amphitheatre, thus separating it from the main entrance to the hotel block underneath it. The upper deck is accessed via a ramp from the footpath. It is intended for the existing elderly population in the town to make the amphitheatre accessible.

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Roe Street Hotel | Concept

MATERIALITY The hotel and the overall public space design intend to follow the site context materiality and an evident visual context. It also intends to create a harmonious visual dialogue throughout the town of Macclesfield.

Design intentions include exclusivity with its form and arrangement of blocks, as well as inclusivity toward the surrounding environment.

The town seemed dull and lifeless. Strategizing on bringing an informal community engagement intends to do so with touches of colour and shades in the hardscaping in the public space interventions, as the amphitheatre retains its structure and geometry, and the materiality intact, it has colours to add extra life.

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Roe Street Hotel | Scheme

The Hotel

Proposed rellocation of parking

Proposed cultural intervention

Amphitheatre

Heritage Center

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Roe Street Hotel | Scheme

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Roe Street Hotel | Scheme

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Roe Street Hotel | Model

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Park Green Plaza | Brief History

Park Green is one of the significant areas in Macclesfield with historic importance. Charles Roe’s first mill stood at Park Green. The church on the site of 17th-century Pickford Hall was subsequently leased by Roe. This church, together with a classical-style former bank building site, accommodated the extra buildings required by the company for business expansion.

The modern building on the left is separated from the church by the Dam’s brook. This is the site of the original small Roe silk mill with a water wheel from 1744.

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Park Green Plaza | Base Map

Despite its historic significance, the open plaza at Park Green was utilized for parking space. However, the surrounding area provided adequate parking as required.

Towards Manchester

RAILWAY STATION

CHURCHILL WAY

This led to the intention of re-designing the park’s green open area. Considering its strategic location in Macclesfield, it shall also serve as an alternative open space since it is situated at a different topographical level.

RO

E

ST

RE

ET

Railway Station

HERITAGE CENTER

ROE STREET HOTEL SITE

PARK GREEN

Park Green Plaza

Towards London Legend Arterial & Primary Road Historical Streets

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Park Green Plaza | Site

2 3

SITE VISIT : Availability of space due to underutilization and negligence was strikingly evident. In addition to its focal point and geometrical expanse, this site served as a suitable location for a social gathering spaces in Macclesfield.

VIEW 1

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

VIEW 2

VIEW 3

KEY PLAN

1

Park Green Plaza | Scheme

The design of the plaza strategizes on bringing a sense of engagement for the community as well as intends to keep not too imposing and carefully flexible at the same time. The seating arrangement are patterned in order to achieve that by means of a geometry that also allows flexible access throughout the place.

Park Green plaza consisted of a fountain, as suggested by the archival records. The new plaza also intends to bring in the fountain along with a place for buskers for entertainment. Busker was observed during the visit in a parallel street, that implied a preservation of culture in Macclesfield.

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Park Green Plaza | Scheme

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield

Model

This project is a part of a group project titled as “Canal-Rail-Road” factored to prepare a comparative analysis of four towns in the UK viz; Bolton, Halifax, Macclesfield & Wigan. The study was to understand the towns and design strategies and interventions addressing the issues observed during the visit and the study.

The link to for the group report shall be found at -

Malhar Ambekar Studio A | Macclesfield