Proposed
Landscape Scheme - The Steelyard
This scheme for The Steelyard,
a public space in Bathgate, went further than a simple
layout for planting and paving. It considered how the
buildings that surround a public space create the 'back
drop' for the wide variety of daily 'performances' that
take place in such a space from the selling of products
from market stalls to the social gatherings of people of
all ages. As such the built fabric became an integral part
of the landscaping proposals with carefully considered
restoration or screening of buildings to reinforce the
ambience of the square.
Elevation
of the buildings that create the 'back drop' to the space
Beyond the obvious historical
links of the existing buildings and the relocated fountain
the heritage of the area had been largely forgotten. By
exciting sculptural symbolism the history is retold in this
scheme. The Steelyard and its importance as an area where
weavers measured cloth is represented by the solid curved
wall which lies across the patterned surface of the square,
a sculpted rule. Carved dimensions along the outer face of
the wall reinforce the allusion.
Proposed
Plan for The Steelyard, Bathgate
These features not only serve
to create a feeling of place specific to this space but
create practical solutions to issues about usability. The
scheme considers how the space could be made more usable
not only on the occasional day that the sun shines in
Scotland but in more inclement weather. The introduction of
canopies makes the spaces more user friendly on those
frequent wet days whilst the introduction of screen walls
to the west not only protect the space from vehicular noise
but also create shelter from the wind. This thought process
is carried through to even consider how the space might be
used for Civic displays, at the heart of the community,
during celebrations such as the lead up to Christmas.
Section
showing The Steelyard at Christmas