Conversion of existing buildings
The principle strategy for the re-use 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 and 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 with 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 connect 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 window cill level will be
dropped where required on the lower levels to allow direct
access into the units.
Circulation within the haulingway
