Conversion of existing buildings
The principle strategy for the re-use of the existing buildings is to activate the haulingways by using them as the primary circulation routes and freeing up the internal space within the buildings for workspaces, commercial units and flats.
Accommodation
Our proposal is based on a mixed use development containing workspace and commercial accommodation on the ground, first and some of the second floor facing into the haulingways and facing the square. With residential accommodation on the second floor and in the roofspace above. The roof volume lends itself to the development of flats with dramatic spaces, akin to the flats developed at the Royal William Yard, Plymouth, and the flats on the lower levels benefit from the high ceilings and are envisaged as a series of open plan - loft type accommodation.
As the site slopes from north to south there we propose to use the south part of the ground floor as undercroft parking.
Circulation
It is the intention that the haulingways will be the animated and busy spaces, internal atria spaces that connnect the units and flats. We aim to work with the character of the buildings and we propose to retain the existing bridges and add a new series of lightweight walkways, stairs and lifts to provide access to the residential and commercial accommodation. The existing windowsill level will be dropped where required on the lower levels to allow direct access into the units.
Sketch perspective of Haulingways - brought back to life
