a project to encourage flow and (inter)action between a town centre and its rural setting.
site brief
The project has developed from a strategic plan for Northampton that focuses on and opens up the currently derelict route of the River Nene to provide links reaching into the town’s rural environs.
This particular case looks at developing the northern branch, (there is a lack of main road out in this direction) and consequently suggests a strategy that could be taken and used on the other two cases to south-east and south-west of the town.
Using currently unused rail lines, a sustainable transport shuttle will be implemented to add to the pedestrian/ cycle etc. routes alongside the river.
The main focus of this route is Harlestone Firs, a fantastic plantation sitting just on the urban periphery, providing scope for numerous inspirational and recreational activities within a beautiful, growing environment. It also lies within the Althorp Estate, and so the route would enhance the tourist opportunities within the area.
The masterplanned area looks to expand and regenerate the existing train station, bringing in new business/ commercial areas, to transform the adjacent current Northampton Railhead/ storage site into a high profile, stimulating public amenity area to include the following
- business/ commercial areas
- residential areas
- a new market square/ plaza
- a sustainable northern shuttle system
- good bus links to the town
- an iconic building- high profile performance/ gallery space
- a functional sports and arts centre
- woodland sculpture/ arts gallery
- artists studios/ workshops
- outdoor performance space
- new indoor BMX/ skateboard park
and to provide links to and to regenerate Victoria Park, situated across the rail line.
The excitement generated by the new site should also act as an embellished ‘Gateway’ to Northampton, and train travellers will at last be provoked to WANT to get off here- rather than seeing Northampton as a place ‘to just pass through’.
Just as the site itself should act as a catalyst to encourage people to head out and use the inherent beneficial qualities of the surrounding landscape, the sports centre acts as a base to inspire people to continue their sporting activities outside. Many sports have today been reinterpreted and taken to the ‘street’- here they are taken to the wood or meadow as we play- exercise alongside nature; things we can do in our own time to fit in with today’s changing, flexible working patterns.
Developing a more autonomous approach expands our self- questioning, and the site provides many different routes, provoking the user to make decisions, and emphasising the fact that the route we ‘choose’ (sub-conciously or consciously) will provide a different experience.
Stimulating free thought to unlock the imagination and creativity is the reason for linking sport with art.
This development, then would be funded partly by British Rail who benefit from developments, partly by the revenue fuelled by the regeneration of business in this area, and also therefore ny the Borough Council, from the Forestry Commission, as part of the urban forest scheme, and from Althorp Estate as part of their tourist strategies.