STANLEY STREET PROJECT

Master of Architecture Programme 2011-2012

School of Art & Design Liverpool John Moores University 7004/5/2 LIVE PROJECT
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Overview
Working with Liverpool City Council the LJMU Master of Architecture programme developed an innovative project which brought together the public and private sectors to look at the potential of a particular street within the city with integrated thinking about individual buildings and their adjacent public realm. The reciprocal nature of the public and private realms in creating successful places was explored, and the student presentations brought together building owners and the city council in a positive and new forum. LJMU students completed a series of design proposals for 5 locations along Stanley Street. In each case their work was developed from detailed discussions with the property owners and tenants, with an initial brief for all projects to address existing problems of functionality and to create commercial value. This was very successful, giving our students invaluable experience and in every case, bringing forward ideas which were exciting and viable for the owners. A number of the owners are looking to further develop the initial ideas presented to them, and the overall result has contributed to the emerging vision for the Stanley Street Quarter. The project demonstrated the potential of multiple private and public organisations working simultaneously to improve a particular place, and the importance of the relationship between the public streetscape and the buildings which frame it. The project has clearly shown the commercial value of good design in resolving business critical issues within existing building stock, and the role architecture can play in creating additional value in existing property assets.

CLIENTS
David Anastasiou, Illiad Vicky Elliot, The Met Quarter Paul Rooney, Paul Rooney Solicitors Eileen Wilkes, Lisbon Pub/Lisbon Buildings Mark Cleveland, Merseytravel

ADVISORS AND ENABLERS

Erin Walsh, LCC Senior Urban Design Officer Paul Amann, LCC Stanley Street Project Manager Wendy Morgan, LCC Conservation Officer Lesley Woodbridge, LCC Public Art Officer Ann Hopper, Liverpool Vision Candice Foseca, Deli Fonseca Stanley Street Stakeholders

STUDENTS
Danielle Booth Liz Butterworth Kelly Gormley Lindsey Hayes Anna Kealey Kim Mountford Lorena Mulet Tony OMeara Charlotte Phillips Ciaran Quigley

TUTOR
Jamie Scott

From left A Stanley Street framing view of cathedral B Five design proposals C Site locations around Stanley Street 2 7004/5/2 LIVE PROJECT Master of Architecture 2011-2012 School of Art & Design Liverpool John Moores University

Context
Leisure and tourism economies are vital to Liverpools future, and the night time economy is a key strength of the city. This asset needs careful management and a Night Time Strategy for the city centre was commissioned to address issues such as anti-social behaviour, personal safety, way-finding and district identity. A subsequent piece of work looked at Stanley Street in particular, both in terms of the nighttime economy and to develop and enhance its role as the focus of Liverpools gay community. Stanley Street runs between Dale Street and Victoria street right at the heart of the citys very fine Victorian business district. It includes of a number of notable historic buildings and has a wide mix of day and night time uses, ranging from offices, tailors, delicatessens and to bars and nightclubs. LCC Urban Design Officers invited the LJMU Architecture programme to engage with their work as they looked to progress and develop the aspirations of the Stanley Street Quarter. The project was developed with the critical component being the involvement of five key property owners along the study area; Merseytravel, Illiad, Paul Rooney Solicitors, Lisbon Buildings and the Met Quarter. We are grateful for the time and enthusiasm of all the participants.

Process
Briefing meetings and site visits for each of the properties were arranged by LCC, with follow up sessions to review heritage, building control and planning issues. Architectural ideas developed by the students within their tutored design studio at the Art and Design Academy, were progressed in a range of drawings, visualisations and models. Comprehensive proposals for each of the properties were completed by the students and, providing invaluable experience and feedback for them, they presented these at a series of meetings with the owners, City Council Officers, Councillors, the Stanley Street Quarter Streering Group and Places Matter

From top A Stanley Street Strategic Direction Final Report B Project presentation to Places Matter 7004/5/2 LIVE PROJECT Master of Architecture 2011-2012 School of Art & Design Liverpool John Moores University 3

MOORFIELDS APPROACHES
Lindsey Hayes Lorena Mulet

The pedestrian route from the station to Dale Street is currently a missed opportunity to create a really positive gateway into the city. Taking the whole colonnaded area and entrance to the No2 Moorfields building the projects conceive a new environment providing better access, lighting, weather protection and relevant retail opportunities. The proposal suggests the simple addition of a vibrant caf with an outdoor counter and a florists, bringing colour security and commercially viable businesses to this busy street corner.

Clockwise from top left A Routes and project diagram B Movement analysis C Florist on corner of Dale Street D Cafe proposal in colanade 4 7004/5/2 LIVE PROJECT Master of Architecture 2011-2012 School of Art & Design Liverpool John Moores University

MUSKERS BUILDING
Liz Butterworth Tony OMeara

This Gothic building provides a striking corner to Stanley Street, but the potential of the building is undermined by poor quality shop fronts at ground level. A series of appropriate new uses, new shopfronts and interiors are proposed for the building along with a night time lighting strategy to celebrate the whole building as a strong corner, landmark, of architectural significance. Take an opportunity to stop and look at the Muskers Building and you will discover a fascinating, ornate piece of architecture.

Clockwise from top left A Existing shopfronts B Drawing showing integrity of original building C,D,E,F Lighting proposals and precedents G Proposed ground floor plan H Before and after shopfront study 7004/5/2 LIVE PROJECT Master of Architecture 2011-2012 School of Art & Design Liverpool John Moores University 5

PAUL ROONEY SOLICITORS

Kelly Gormley Ciaran Quigley

This building was suggested for demolition in the Stanley Street report. We consider this financially unrealistic and wasteful. However, the principle of creating new public space at the midpoint of Stanley Street is understandable. Two options have been investigated, one turning the entire building into a boutique hotel, and the other maintaining the present solicitors firm on the upper floors but appropriating the currently underused ground and lower ground floors as new public caf and performance space. Creating a generous double height room which is clearly visible from the street with welcoming all year round activities this project gives Stanley Street an important civic heart.

Clockwise from top left A View from roof of building B Precedent of new hotel in central Liverpool C Precedent of public cafe, Cafe Dudok, Rotterdam D,E Interior sketch of proposal F Facade proposal for retained building G Section with new public cafe below retained offices F Image of new roof top restaurant 6 7004/5/2 LIVE PROJECT Master of Architecture 2011-2012 School of Art & Design Liverpool John Moores University

THE LISBON BUILDINGS

Anna Kealey Charlotte Phillips

The Lisbon Pub and the Body Active shop occupy a very prominent corner and could be a positive example of architectural and interior quality for the area, but they are not. Whilst the Lisbon Pub is of historic significance and at the heart of the gay village it is hard to access and sits within a poor overall streetscape. Our projects provide elegant and deceptively simple solutions, clearing away signage to reveal a much more attractive faade, and cleverly inserting a new lift and staircase without damaging the wonderful pub interior. Sympathetically detailed new handrails, drawn from the interior stucco relief, define an outdoor seating area and an additional alternate access.

Clockwise from top left A Ceiling detail in Lisbon Pub B Current shopfronts C Proposed shopfronts and new entrance D Proposed balustrade detail 7004/5/2 LIVE PROJECT Master of Architecture 2011-2012 School of Art & Design Liverpool John Moores University 7

THE MET QUARTER

Danielle Booth Kim Mountford

Whilst in many ways a success the Met Quarter has recently lost some tenants, and also makes little active contribution to surrounding street life except on Whitechapel. This project looks at changing the external character and accessibility of the Met Quarter, such that it plays a more appropriate role in the life of Victoria Street and Stanley Street. Apart from various enhancements to the exterior, giving a stronger expression of the internal life of the building, a new access point on Stanley Street changes the shopping arcade of the Met Quarter from a virtual culde-sac into a well-connected route through the city. Providing an increase in footfall and a new destination store for the Met Quarter this proposal is relevant and realistic, and was well received by the buildings management team.

Clockwise from top left A Analysis showing existing routes and transport B Proposed plan introducing new entrance and new anchor store C Diagram of Stanley Street indicating new entrance in green D, E New entrance proposal to Stanley Street with ramp 8 7004/5/2 LIVE PROJECT Master of Architecture 2011-2012 School of Art & Design Liverpool John Moores University

Outcomes
The project brought together a wide range of owners and agencies, some for the first time, and this gathering has been a useful step in developing future plans, creating new networks. The students work showed the collective potential of the street as the whole, whilst highlighting its context within the city. The project demonstrates the adage that the outcome can be greater sum of its parts. There is clear potential for both the actual buildings and the useful improvement of the public realm. The value of the proposals and the potential for Stanley Street was further reinforced when our students presented their work to a Places Matter Design Review, where the panel strongly endorsed the work, giving a clear steer to any future planning applications that the urban design and architectural principles were sound. Acting as an independent agency between the public and private sectors, and able to freely bring new ideas for discussion, the LJMU Architecture Programme has contributed to a project which is seeking to stimulate intelligent development in an important part of the city. For our students, academic urban design theory has been explored in a live project which provided invaluable experience of dealing with real potential clients and consultees from the world of work. The success of the Stanley Street project has led Liverpool Vision to propose similar projects to further engage the LJMU Architecture programme with developments in the city.

Clockwise from top right A Stanley Street highlighting the current space given over to parking B Stanley Street with new pedestrian route C Precedents of street furniture D Superkilen public realm project in Copenhagen E Creation of pedestrian space in New York with paint and plants 7004/5/2 LIVE PROJECT Master of Architecture 2011-2012 School of Art & Design Liverpool John Moores University 9

YELNATS TEERTS TCEJORP

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