Design: Initial Ideas
The majority of people who attended the first exhibition agreed that we should progress with a new scheme that is more appropriate in design terms, for Cornwall.
The responses supported the design objectives listed in the PPA:
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Not to increase the unit numbers or the leisure/commercial floorspace in comparison to the extant scheme (objective 2);
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To rebalance the quantum of floorspace on Crinnis and Shorthorn, compared to the extant scheme (objective 3);
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Achieve a design that is appropriate to Cornwall (objective 6);
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To achieve an exemplary visitor destination providing social and economic enhancements for the St. Austell area (objective 12)
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We asked our architects, ORMS, how we could achieve a high quality, sustainable, year-round resort that is sensitive to the site’s coastal context and the qualities of a Cornish town.
ORMS produced the following diagrams to test how the buildings could be placed.
We concluded that none of these produced a satisfactory basis for the design of the scheme. We decided to we should undertake a “character study’’ of Cornish towns to understand the essence of their layout and appearance.
Massing Study 1 – Cliff Edge
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Pros
• All apartments with a sea view
• Building on less land
• Large open spaces in front of residential
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Cons
• All buildings the same height
• No rebalancing of apartment split (more on Shorthorn)
• Taller than the cliff top
• All commercial activities in one location
• Less life on Promenade
• Exposed open areas
• Difficult to phase construction?
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Massing Study 2 – Ribbon
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Pros
• All apartments with a sea view
• Variety of heights
• Lower than cliff edge
• Interesting spaces between buildings
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Cons
• All commercial activities in one location
• No rebalancing of apartment split (more on Shorthorn)
• Less activity on Promenade
• The right character?
• Shaded rear spaces behind apartments
• Some oblique sea views
• Difficult to phase construction?
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Massing Study 3 – Parallel Fingers
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Pros
• Lower than cliff edge
• Commercial activities more dispersed
• Creates interesting intermediate spaces
• More of a Cornish character
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Cons
• Many units with oblique or little sea view
• No rebalancing of apartment split (more on Shorthorn)
• Public realm scattered – no focus
• Difficult to phase construction?
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