Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy

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Laurence Bradley
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1 Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy : 1/8 Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy Artist s Design Brief February 2014 Author: KD (V:2) 12 February 2014

2 Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy : 2/8 Contents List 1.0 Purpose of this Document 2.0 Project Description 2.1 Project Team 2.2 Aberfeldy New Village description 2.3 Project Programme 2.4 Planning Background 2.5 The role of the Landscape Architect 3.0 Project Brief 3.1 Client requirements 3.2 Budget 3.3 Programme Appendices 1. Approved Outline Masterplan 2. LBA Phase 1 Public Art & Wayfinding opportunities drawing 3. Landscape Masterplan Phases 1 and 2

3 Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy : 3/8 1.0 Purpose of this Document The purpose of this document is to provide a clear brief for artists tendering via Bow Arts Trust for the responsibility to deliver the Public Art & Wayfinding strategy for Aberfeldy New Village in The London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH). This document will set out the requirements which must be adhered to in the delivery of the strategy by Bow Arts Trust and the selected artists including client objectives & budgetary allowances, community consultation requirements, planning obligations and contractor-led programme commitments. 2.0 Project Description To ensure the success of the Public Art & Wayfinding strategy at the Aberfeldy New Village, it is essential that Bow Arts Trust and the artist has an accurate understanding of the Client s requirements and how the proposals must knit into the wider development proposals. 2.1 The Aberfeldy New Village Project team includes: Client: Aberfeldy Village LLP (Willmott Dixon Regen / Poplar HARCA) Contractor: Willmott Dixon Housing Planning Consultant: Leaside Planning Architect: Levitt Bernstein Landscape Architect: Levitt Bernstein Structural Engineer: Campbell Reith M&E Engineer: Upton McGoughan 2.2 The masterplan for the Aberfeldy New Village (ANV) [see Appendix 1] is the blueprint for the radical transformation of an existing estate in Poplar, East London. The regeneration proposals create 1176 mixed tenure, new homes with a retail and community centre, PCT and faith space, to form a new residential quarter adjacent to East India Dock Road. At the centre of the high density development a new public park (East India Green) is structured around an urban swale, play spaces and a grid of trees. The residential buildings are responsive to the urban context, varying in character and scale across the masterplan, and ranging between a 10 storey tower at the east end of the park, a series of linear, muscular buildings along the A13, and lower rise courtyard housing on the north side of the park. The architectural approach draws on the history of the site, creating a modern warehouse aesthetic, with open plan interiors, generous glazing, large floor to ceiling heights and dramatic, light filled circulation cores. 2.3 The ANV development is apportioned into six phases with sitewide completion envisaged for Construction of Phase 1 (apportioned into 1A and 1B) is already underway and a planning application for Phase 2 was submitted on the 1 st August Phase 3 is within early design stages and a planning submission is targeted for 2014.

4 Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy : 4/8 2.4 The masterplan framework for development proposals at ANV have formal outline planning approval from LBTH. This includes aspects such the quantum of open space provided, the height and massing of building and the footprint of development. As each of the six phases subsequently move forward to design stage, a Reserved Matters Application is made for each phase in order to obtain detailed planning consent for proposals. This consent covers information including paving materials, tree species, window types and balcony details. Once detailed planning approval is obtained, significant changes to approved details cannot be made without a further planning submission which is to be avoided. The production of a Public Art & Wayfinding strategy was a requirement across the masterplan proposals and the document at Appendix 2 was submitted and approved by LBTH as part of the Application for Phase 1. This strategy sets out the broad approach to be adopted when considering the site s legibility and distinctiveness through the incorporation of art; it also includes indicative ideas for proposals in relation to Phase Masterplan proposals for ANV were developed with the input of Urban Design and Landscape Architect professionals and the provision of good quality, robust outdoor space is at the heart of the design for the new residential community. Landscape Architects inform proposals for each phase and extensive information regarding the design of external space is available from early conceptual sketches through to construction level plan and detail drawings. The integration of new buildings within an improved landscape setting is a key objective of the development and the Public Art & Wayfinding strategy highlights opportunities for the incorporation of art works in a similarly integrated way.

5 Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy : 5/8 3.0 Project Brief 3.1 The client s requirements for the appointment of an artist to lead the delivery of the Public Art & Wayfinding [PAW] strategy are outlined below. These requirements are as critical as the art works themselves in ensuring a successful end result. I. The appointed artist will produce a full-scheme thematic approach to introducing artistic elements and interventions to the current design elements, especially those relating to public realm, environment, wayfinding and signage. This will include: - An overall themed strategy - Specific interventions to be integrated within the Phase 1 landscape layout which is divided into 1A (Block B and environs including the urban square) and 1B (Blocks A and C and environs including the linear park). Phase 1 is fully detailed and Phase 1A is currently under construction, Phase 1B is expected to commence construction in June Interventions within latter phases which are at various stages of design (Phase 2, approaching detailed design, submitted for planning summer 2013, Phase 3 intended to be submitted for planning later in 2014, Phases 4-6 timing to be confirmed ) II. Whilst the appointed artist will retain responsibility for the delivery of the PAW strategy, the artist should liaise with the project team where necessary to coordinate and inform design proposals, avoiding conflict with existing design team proposals. The ability to collaborate positively with the project team, including site contractors is essential. III. When designing the thematic approach and related artistic interventions the artist should specifically show regard to: - The heritage of trades linked to the local docks - The Greenwich Meridian M Line running directly through the area - The use of text or words, possibly quotes or historic references, to form the basis of the artist interventions IV. Proposed artworks must be suitably robust to reflect the urban and public environment in which they will be placed: - Design and fabrication processes must have strong regard for levels of cleaning and maintenance, particularly in relation to graffiti and other forms of vandalism. - Materials used should complement those within architectural and landscape proposals, selected to ensure durability and longevity whilst contributing towards a sustainable environment where possible. Artists must have a good understanding of materials and their application; they must have the ability to engage proactively with the technical aspects of the designs so that they can work with the proposed construction materials and maximise artistic opportunities in a cost-effective way.

6 Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy : 6/8 - The safety of end users and residents should be paramount. Where necessary, advice should be sought by the artist to ensure designs reasonably conform to Health & Safety guidance and Building Regulations. Contemporary approaches to play including designing for acceptable risk are encouraged [see publically available guidance sources including: ABE/designing-and-planning-for-play.pdf - Artworks will be permanent and publically accessible without fencing or timerestricted access. Inclusivity and legibility of items for all users, including those with impaired visual or physical abilities is crucial. Artistic wayfinding elements should be clear, legible and practical, helping enforce a sense of place across the development. V. Proposals should consider a combined approach to wayfinding and public art to help create a new identity the community can be proud of. It is paramount that art elements appear to rest in harmony with their immediate context and local setting with tight integration with landscape design proposals. Token, stand-alone pieces which appear to have been parachuted into development are frequently seen to do little to help foster a sense of place or to enforce the character of a new community. VI. Key opportunities o to be promoted as a priority within Phase 1A 1 include (see Appendix 02): - One intervention within the hard landscape west of Block B with one or two intervention nterventions within the hard landscape surface in or around the Urban Square (with water feature) eature). - Incorporation within each intervention on, of text strand(s) or quotes reflecting the heritage of trades linked to the local docks. - Due to the constraint of time and underground services this intervention should reflect the proposed paving construction depth as closely as possible. - The incorporation of this artwork is a critical programme item and must accord with the time constraints set out by the main contractor. The positioning of this artwork should be discussed with the client team and maybe adjusted to avoid clashes with programme. VII. Key opportunities to be promoted within Phase 1B include (see Appendix 02): - Embellishment to a section of the in-situ cast concrete swale steps where wide seating edges provide opportunity for incorporation of text strand or quotation - Intervention within publicly accessible hard and soft landscape surfaces between Blocks A and C to highlight alignment of Greenwich Meridian Line (due to the constraint of underground services this intervention should reflect the proposed construction depths as closely as possible)

7 Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy : 7/8 VIII. Applicants should have an excellent understanding of contemporary practice and experience of realising projects within the public realm to challenging programme deadlines and to budget. The artist will be expected to: - Fully develop their ideas once selected through a combination of local research and consultation with residents, other local stakeholders and the client. - Carry out a series of creative workshops to consult with local groups as well as test ideas and ensure all workshops are risk assessed. - Present progress reports to the client team and Neighbourhood Forum at key project junctions to be agreed. Whist proposals should encompass the entire masterplan, the production of detailed proposals should reflect the availability of each phase, starting with Phase 1 (currently on site) and Phase 2 (due to start on site in early 2014). - Provide relevant costing, specifications, drawings and details of materials and suppliers where necessary. - Work closely with the building contractor and architects to supervise the fabrication and installation of the work as applicable. - Contribute to a method statement to ensure all health and safety procedures are complied with. - Contact suppliers as necessary (in certain cases the Client may contract suppliers directly). - Attend meetings and events with client team and Neighbourhood Forum as appropriate to the implementation of the project as required. - Assist with the promotion and launch of the commission on completion. - Contribute to a detailed maintenance manual indicating how the artwork is to be maintained over the long term. 3.2 Consultation and community workshops will form an integral part of this commission and should be included within the stated budget. The artist should outline their approach to this within their proposal and provide examples of work that have included this approach. Artworks and wayfinding elements should link the wider neighbourhood in creative and novel ways which inspire and encourage learning through art interventions. The local school to the development - Culloden Primary School - has an important Deaf Support Unit which seeks to raise the aspirations of pupils with a range of hearing impairments. There may well be interventions that could utilise this as a central theme to the benefit of school children and other deaf adults who are also involved in this unit. 3.3 The budget for the realisation of the PAW strategy must include all aspects of delivery including artist and artist s agent fees, the full design and decision making process, the agreement of an implementation process and community liaison/consultation event expenditures. The fabrication and implementation of the first detailed proposals within Phase 1 should also be achieved. The budget set is 45 45,000,000. The artist is expected to investigate opportunities for alternative art

8 Aberfeldy New Village Wayfinding & Public Art Strategy : 8/8 funding streams within the process to allow for further augmentation and expansion of the PAW strategy. 3.4 The timing of the delivery of the PAW strategy needs to dovetail seamlessly into construction programmes and planning schedules and is therefore an important consideration within the design process. This is particularly critical for works falling within Phase 1. Artists must consider lead-in periods and fabrication terms when establishing the principles of design to ensure that pieces are delivered on time and without delay. The commission for the PAW strategy will cover the entire masterplan area and therefore will need to consider interventions which can be appropriately incorporated within future design phases. 3.5 For art interventions to be delivered within Phase 1, the artist should have regard for the following critical key dates identified by the main building constructor against the current programme: Phase 1a (Block B) Start on site of external works Early June Information & design to t be resolved for procurement 4th April Phase 1b (Blocks A&C) Start on site of external works Early December Information & design to be resolved for procurement 3rd October 2014.

Description Details submitted pursuant to discharge of condition 5 (Design Code) attached to planning permission 13/01729/OUT.

ITEM 9 Application Number: 18/00266/DISCON Description Details submitted pursuant to discharge of condition 5 (Design Code) attached to planning permission 13/01729/OUT. AT The Point, 602 Midsummer Boulevard,