THE SHORTLIST AND DESIGN COMPETITION
Earlier this month the Council announced a shortlist of 5 architect teams chosen by the Design Panel from 54 entries to the RIBA Design Competition. FYI, the teams were chosen based on the suitability of their past work and CVs, not on designs for the Riverside. The chosen teams now have until 06 August to submit their concept designs to the Council. Then presumably they’ll go on their Summer hols while the Council prepares for public consultation of the (anonymously presented) designs which will take place from 02-27 September. Please note that it’s a consultation, not a ballot. But residents’ views will be considered by the Design Panel who will choose the winning design team. The winners will be announced on 25 November 2019.
THE BRIEF - aka Invitation To Tender
The Council have updated the Design Brief for the riverside site and shared it with the Stakeholder Group, although neither the Council nor RIBA have published it on their websites yet! So we’ve captured the key elements of it in the paragraphs below (in italics).
In summary, we’re pleased that their main objective is to create a focal point for the town, such as a town square, for activities and events to draw people to the river. A ‘design that champions green over grey’ (i.e. park not car park) and that encourages use and enjoyment of the river. We’re also pleased that they’ve not been prescriptive about the types of uses for the site, and have kept the brief as open as possible to give the architects maximum scope for creativity. They expect some housing (50% affordable) but haven’t specified how much.
They’ve fleshed out some parts of the brief, clarified their position regarding riverside parking requirements and conducted some traffic surveys (pedestrians, cyclists, servicing and vehicle counts).
4.2. Open Space and Environment
Strengthen the green character of Richmond upon Thames by enhancing the public realm through careful design.
The design should recognise, protect, and enhance the beauty and biodiversity of the riverside. Public open spaces should be improved, offering hard and soft landscaping that is accessible to all and takes full advantage of the river views. The design should create a focal point for the town (e.g. town square or similar) that accommodates activities and events. Open spaces should provide continuity of access between the town and the river and create attractive and lively public spaces responding to people and their needs whilst also building on and adding to the existing commercial and cultural life in the town. The design will champion green over grey and the re-provision of the Diamond Jubilee Gardens is paramount and must meet the requirements set.
•• The schemes must provide a focal point for the town that allows for activities and events, as well as day-to-day use and enjoyment of the buildings and spaces
•• The scheme should improve, and where possible, increase public open space, including between buildings
•• It is very important that the new proposals draw people from the town to the river, and from further afield into the area
•• The designs should consider encouraging use of the river/riverside (e.g. river based activities which may be facilitated by jetties or mooring)
4.3. Site Parking and Movements
Provide a creative solution and a riverfront experience which prioritises people over cars.
In order to maximise enjoyment and views of the river, the Council has expressed its desire to take parking away from the riverside part of the site to create a shared use environment for pedestrians and cyclists. In order to achieve this, designs must carefully consider vehicular circulation and servicing of the area. Particular attention must be given to retain the access and service requirements of Eel Pie Island and the thriving economy of the Island should not be disadvantaged. Impact on the town should also be given careful consideration. Active travel must be promoted through design and the residential development will be car free except for emergency, accessible and delivery requirements.
•• Parking is to be removed from the immediate riverside (Embankment between Water Lane and Wharf Lane).
•• These spaces do not need to be re-provided within the proposed scheme, though bidders may if they wish include some provision on the site but away from the immediate riverside if they feel it is readily done without significant adverse impact on other scheme requirements.
•• The Council as Highway Authority has an emerging proposition towards the re-provision of this Embankment parking across the wider area. The Council have some good ideas for doing this.
•• There must be a road link that runs between Water Lane and Wharf Lane! WHY?
TRAFFIC FLOW
The image above shows the Council’s plan to remove all the parking from The Embankment and also from the lower parts of Water and Wharf Lanes. We welcome this initiative to keep the Riverside as car park free as possible. BUT, we’re concerned that leaving parking spaces at the top of these roads and insisting on a road link between Water and Wharf Lanes will constrain the architect teams from maximising use of the full site by preventing them from proposing two-way traffic flow on Water Lane (which would mean a link road is unnecessary). A permanent link road as the only vehicle exit from the Embankment to King Street (via the service road and Wharf Lane) would take up public open space and separate the riverside site from the high street. This is obviously not ideal.
Why have the Council been prescriptive about this aspect of the site, but not others? We feel they need to give the architects greater flexibility on this critical aspect of the design. If a small number of parking spaces need to be retained the architects should decide the best place for them.
We've discussed our concerns with members of the Design Panel and they have assured us that the architects will be given the option of making Water Lane two-way.
4.4.Uses
Create an exciting destination for residents and visitors that champions the river and makes a significant contribution to the town.
The Council is seeking a mixed-use scheme which helps create a destination point and draws people of all ages from the town towards the river, and from further afield into the area. While some uses are required others can be proposed. Teams as part of their proposals are asked to focus on user experiences and optimising the site’s river setting. Reiterating the second objective the scheme should provide a focal area (e.g. town square or similar) for Twickenham that can facilitate outside events and other community activities as well as promoting river related activities.
•• The Council do not want to be too prescriptive and are looking for teams to propose sustainable, viable and appropriate uses for the site which might include the following:
•• Food and beverage •• Creative spaces
•• River related activities •• Community use space
•• Space for art and cultural uses •• Flexible workspace
•• Recreational, leisure and sports uses
•• Multifunctional spaces •• Uses for different ages
•• The Council wishes the schemes to provide an element of good quality housing with a minimum of 50% affordable units. The Council is not predetermining the accommodation requirements for the project.
TIMELINES
An indicative programme for the delivery of the scheme is as follows:
•• Appoint design team Q4 2019
•• Submit / validate detailed planning application Q3 2020
Please let us know your thoughts by either adding a comment to this petition update or by emailing us at twickriversidepark@gmail.com
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