Bath Spa Developments

[delores]

I think it looks good but I do think they could of been a bit more inventive with the facades, more detail would of been good. I think however it will be good to see when its finished as a whole not in its construction stage where its difficult to judge. Also stone needs to age , at the moment it looks far too clean.

[steppenwolf]

I'm getting nervous about this, but we're committed to it now. It looks like good quality stone has been used at least. The architecture I pray, has been designed by someone who really understands neo classical architecture, and is very good at applying that. Finishing detail will be very important. Hoping the windows won't be single panes of green/black glass.. fingers crossed, Windows are so so important in all neo classical architecture, and if we dont get the usual 6 panes of single glazed glass I reckon its going to look 'horror show'.

I think we're quite instictive in the country about what's right and whats not. People will either walk around this new area and go eeeek... its a bit fake innit... it doesnt seem very well integrated, or they'll go 'ooh, its been done very well hasn't it.'

fingers crossed very firmly

[steppenwolf]

Who are the architect's for South Gate?

This company is very good at new classical buildings - http://www.porphyrios.co.uk/Main.swf

[steppenwolf]

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


There's some very good discussion at Flickr - All a bit late but hey
I quote someone
"I agree with both your notes. I would have thought getting the book-ends to match would have been integral to the concept of framing the new street like that. Repeating the approach to the other end (where there are little square blind windows on the second floor instead of the arch) would have made more sense, given the width. And a blind window or two would have improved the part of block A that you have highlighted. I am now confused by the "gaps" in the cornices and facades though, which it appears are not always designed to accommodate drainpipes as I expected. It's nice to see the windows in place however. "

http://flickr.com/photos/14399792@N04/

[Madman]

Another Flickr update

A view looking north up Southgate from Dorchester Street with the entire elevation of the development onto southgate.

image hosted on flickr


...and a view the other way looking down southgate...

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[delores]

while I like the way this building is fitting into Bath, I'm concerned that the buildings are not gutsy enough with tiny details that look a bit tame compared to the rest of the city.

[delores]

Not so good an explosion occured on site

http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?...de=3123291&c=1

[Andrew]

That looks pretty serious, no mention of injuries in the article. Hopefully there weren't any. Hopefully the damage isn't too great as well, though it doesn't look good.

[Madman]

Some photos of the fire - a bit of excitement for the old gits of Bath

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[Andrew]

Oh dear... that doesn't look good. Though there are news reports on the net that claim that damage was minimal and the schedule won't be affected.

[Madman]

Looks worse than it actually was apparently, but sure gave the Chronicle something to write about!

(Some more raiding of flickr!)

Looking from the middle of development at the perimeter blocks shaping up (first phase opens next year so they better get their arse in gear)

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Entrance portal to Car park (only in Bath ) Chipped block highlighted has since been replaced for all those worried!
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Wilkinson Eyre bus station slowly taking shape

image hosted on flickr

[Andrew]

I do like this development.

[Madman]

I'm a bit divided over it, the one thing i know for sure is that its very unlike any other mall we have seen recently in the UK.

[delores]

Any news on this?

[Madman]

^ Did more raiding of Flickr, just for you...


A view between Block B and C - The bridge connecting them is temporary, but that's where the final one will be located.

image hosted on flickr



A view looking down Dorchester Street from the South West corner of the scheme. on the left is the corner of block c with the triumphal arch style entrance portals for the car parks (as mentioned earlier - only in bath!) with an pedestrian arcade on the street. To the right the new bus station is emerging behind the scaffolding, and in the distance refurbishment and enlargement works are happening on the station and its forecourt area.

image hosted on flickr




The new Wiliinson eyre designed bus station is taking shape, kindly being called the 'Busometer' by the local press.

image hosted on flickr

[delores]

I'm a bit concerned about the detailing on the facades, it just doesn't look convincing enough and what era are they actually trying to do here? Classical? Georgian? it's just a little unclear.

[Leeds No.1]

I know what you mean. I have witnessed similar developments here in Harrogate, where like Bath, developments must fit in with the old for the sake of tourists and aesthetic values. I have come to the conclusions that in these gentile spa town type places, architects do not have freedom as they do in the cities, but are forced to take bits of other buildings to make their building in order for it to fit in. For example Marks and Spencer in Harrogate takes the sandstone from Victoria Gardens opposite, but takes the architectural style itself from buildings on Cambridge Street and Oxford Street.

So perhaps in Bath, the architects aren't trying to follow one style, but simply just build a shopping centre that 'fits in' and nothing much more.

[delores]

Originally Posted by Madman

image hosted on flickr

I think its this picture that makes me wonder what's happening here. The cornerstone detail is tacked on? and doesnt look like its combining with the other facade very well. It will probably change later..i hope.

[Madman]

^ You are absolutely right, many of the details do looked tacked on, and though not finished, the addition of the window fitting and gutters will not detract from the superficiality of some of the detailing.

The biggest problem i have with the scheme though is the awkward massing of the scheme in order to satisfy the requirements of major retail chains which is totally inconsistent with the massing language of Bath and its terraces. This is compunded by a lack of accuracy in Georgian detailing that though at first glance may be half convincing to the lay observer, soon falls into a category of pastiche more akin to the work of Speer and stripped down fascist classicism-pompousness.

[Bluegate74]

HEAR, HEAR !

Originally Posted by Madman

^ You are absolutely right, many of the details do looked tacked on, and though not finished, the addition of the window fitting and gutters will not detract from the superficiality of some of the detailing.

The biggest problem i have with the scheme though is the awkward massing of the scheme in order to satisfy the requirements of major retail chains which is totally inconsistent with the massing language of Bath and its terraces. This is compunded by a lack of accuracy in Georgian detailing that though at first glance may be half convincing to the lay observer, soon falls into a category of pastiche more akin to the work of Speer and stripped down fascist classicism-pompousness.