Shortlist drawn-up in contest to revamp riverside near York’s Guildhall

12:00pm Tuesday 20th November 2012 in News Photograph of the Author Exclusive By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

One of the shortlisted entries to the competition to redesign the Guildhall riverside area of York One of the shortlisted entries to the competition to redesign the Guildhall riverside area of York

THIS dramatic image shows how the riverside alongside York’s Guildhall could look once the city council moves out.

The design is one of five shortlisted entries in an international competition intended to explore potential future uses for the area after the authority moves to its new headquarters next year.

A judging panel selected the five designs from 36 entries, which included submissions from as far away as Russia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Panel chairman Keith Williams, an adviser to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), which ran the competition in conjunction with the council, said there had been an excellent response.

“The quality of the schemes received was for the most part exemplary,” he said.

“The five shortlisted schemes encompass a very diverse and intelligent set of design responses, each of which put across very clear strategies as to how this this extraordinary series of buildings and spaces could be transformed.”

City leaders had asked for innovative design proposals for the historic riverside complex and nearby boatyard to maximise the benefit to the city and its residents.

The shortlisted schemes, by Architecture & Urbanism Studio, London, Jak Studio, London, Robert Loader Architect, London, Nicholas Mills Architect, Edinburgh and SEC JV Architects, Cumbria, will go on display at the York Explore Library between next Sunday and Tuesday in the Marriott Room during normal opening hours, when residents can give their views.

Panel member Julie Gunnell, the council’s cabinet member for corporate services, said the Guildhall and associated spaces were a significant part of York’s cultural and civic history.

Brian Clarke, managing director of Yorkboat, which is sponsoring the competition with York Civic Trust, said: “It’s great to get new ideas particularly for this important part of the city. This competition is a great idea and I am sure that it will generate some blue-sky thinking.”

The teams will present their designs to the judging panel at a final interview on December 4, when the winner will be chosen.

The winning design will collect a £5,000 prize and guide how the area is eventually developed, although a council spokeswoman said the authority would still have to go through the relevant procurement process for the eventual design and build.

Comments(44)

lowbeam says...
12:26pm Tue 20 Nov 12

You have GOT to be joking yes? This is november not April..?

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Ignatius Lumpopo says...
12:27pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Here's an idea: why not build something REALLY UGLY? Wait - it looks like a lot of people have already had the same thought...

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Zetkin says...
12:35pm Tue 20 Nov 12

So when's polling day?

We already know more about these five candidates than we did about mesdames Mulligan & Potter.

My preference is the riverside plaza, although the one that looks like giant beach huts might be OK depending on the actual use to which the building is put.

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Older Sometimes Wiser says...
12:41pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Why not have a PROPER consultation where the residents of York can express their opinions and be listened to!
For a starter I think the second picture ( above) manages to blend the ancient and modern character of York quite well ,while the first " diamond shaped erection" is just dreadful!

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pedalling paul says...
12:42pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Wot, no bike racks....?

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sparkseffect says...
12:44pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Oh, goody, another Stonebow House. Will they never learn?

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CaroleBaines says...
12:48pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Number four for me. Although it is hard to tell from that small picture, looks more modest and in keeping than the rest.

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magic cat says...
12:57pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Can the Press publish the actual dates of the exhibition please.

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gmc_1963 says...
1:01pm Tue 20 Nov 12

It's fine as it is

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eeoodares says...
1:10pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Hmm, very attractive! York is lacking hugh concrete monoliths, I think it balances the Park Inn and Stonebow exchange nicely. Can we build a multi storey on the unused grass next to the Minster?

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long distance depressive says...
1:15pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Let's pander to the trendy eh!? it HAS to be sympathetic to the history of the site and not a 'vision' which will look outmoded in 10 years.

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therealitybytes says...
1:15pm Tue 20 Nov 12

I understand that these are just concepts but it beats me why the council would ask for 'innovative design' in the first place. Innovate when it is needed, not throw the word around to make something seem exciting.

Personally I think it'd be nice to have something in keeping with the rest of the riverside, which means something not ultra-modern or with more pillars than the Parthenon.

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Kelvar says...
1:30pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Number 1: TOO Futuristic! Number 2: Looks like a bloody Prison!! Not particularly fond of any of the others either. No more ugly eyesores in York please. We already have enough!!!

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york21210 says...
1:57pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Ohhhhhh no somewhere else for the homeless drunkards to hang about and hassle people ... All the ideas look great but lets make sure its an alcohol free zone!

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CRWPROJ says...
2:31pm Tue 20 Nov 12

They need to get things in perspective.
Literally...
Unless the area is to be occupied by Pygmies the designs need to reflect the true size of the area (and people).
And also include the piles, pontoons and river boats in front (to scale).
I have nothing against modernising just as long as people are aware of what it will really look like. To avoid disappointment. Let's use 21st century tech and show the true image.

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MrsHoney says...
2:53pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Kelvar wrote:
Number 1: TOO Futuristic! Number 2: Looks like a bloody Prison!! Not particularly fond of any of the others either. No more ugly eyesores in York please. We already have enough!!!
Quite agree. They look awful.

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Scarlet Pimpernel says...
2:59pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Where are the PV's and wind turbines ?

Where will the money come from ?

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bagnall1928@yahoo.com says...
3:37pm Tue 20 Nov 12

perhaps it could be constructed in a similar stone, in fitting with the lovely old buildings there already. if oot a light coloured brick..
We cant live in the past but surely some simple design could be drawn up that wont ruin the view from the bridge.
I have looked down on the view so many times in my life
from there to Ouse Bridge is not an enormous area and could be preserved or dealt with sympathetically.
Where are the architects with common sense and vision!!!

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Woody G Mellor says...
3:49pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Usual negative comments from the usual negative people I see.

Yaaaawn.

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meme says...
4:03pm Tue 20 Nov 12

I love the giant beach huts and am not being sarcastic

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colette says...
4:25pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Most of them absolutely dreadful and totally out of keeping with York and its history - we should be celebrating the beautiful old buildings and finding styles to complement them - preferably with the people of York having a say!

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strangebuttrue? says...
4:31pm Tue 20 Nov 12

pedalling paul wrote:
Wot, no bike racks....?
No no bike rakes. They also seem to have missed out the image of a cyclist ploughing through the pedestrians as happens frequently in foot streets. Oh maybe that’s why there are no racks to encourage them down there!!

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newcyclist says...
4:43pm Tue 20 Nov 12

It's impossible to tell from small pictures what would be a good design. The most important point, however, is what are they designing? What will be the use of the Guildhall and any new building? What was the brief for the architects? Did they have a pur something rpose or are they creating a purpose in what they are designing? The most beautiful architecture could be wasted without a clear purpose for the site and I feel we residents should have a chance to say what we think York needs. Hopefully not another Italian restaurant or area of coffee house chains, but a real asset which will enhabce the life of the city.

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chrissy92 says...
4:48pm Tue 20 Nov 12

This is amazing ideas for other people across UK to have day out...but we don't really need can of new stuff like that, York is the one of biggest history of the UK.... I'm designer from leeds met university, i think they should making York nice and tidy and stop the land is wasting, there are lots of lands in York are not done, why can you guys fix and sort it out...I know they don't have enough money to building new stuff..never mind about new materials, why not sustainability Re-use stuff and i am sure you will save some coins...there no many of sustainability across York...think and plan first.
Thanks

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PinzaC55 says...
4:59pm Tue 20 Nov 12

As an atheist I am reluctant to say this but it looks a vision from Hell. One can only hope that when the river floods it will sweep it away.

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roskoboskovic says...
5:07pm Tue 20 Nov 12

small businesses in york have permission to use colourful displays turned down because they are deemed unsuitable for their surroundings.along comes some poseur architect and they think that some of these are in keeping with the centre of york.have they ever visited the city or are they just trying to make a statement.

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Savonarola says...
5:19pm Tue 20 Nov 12

It's nice to see all the excellent York Architects suitably represented in the shortlist.

Three from London, one from Edinburgh and a Cumbrian. No local knowledge, no conception of having to live with the thing and the result is some appallingly ugly impositions.

Number five especially is one of the poorest renderings I've ever seen.

In number one, the plaza seems to be at the level of Common Hall Lane, roughly 12 feet below ground and as any resident knows, mostly under water!

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Mark-In-Acomb says...
6:08pm Tue 20 Nov 12

I scrolled through the photos and liked number 6 titled "How the Guildhall looks today" much better than the other five.

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Jazzper says...
7:07pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Mark-In-Acomb wrote:
I scrolled through the photos and liked number 6 titled "How the Guildhall looks today" much better than the other five.
That's my choice...no 6, the others all rubbish, no contest !

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gmc_1963 says...
7:31pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Oldest trick in the book
Give you a choice for change when the only real choice is DON'T

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Yorkie41 says...
7:31pm Tue 20 Nov 12

I would imagine from what I can see is that the river will be narrowed down, Why don't they put a foot brige over whilst they are at it.

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PinzaC55 says...
8:48pm Tue 20 Nov 12

They could call it the James Alexander building in memory of all he has done for York.

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newcyclist says...
11:14pm Tue 20 Nov 12

Mark-In-Acomb wrote:
I scrolled through the photos and liked number 6 titled "How the Guildhall looks today" much better than the other five.
agreed

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nearlyman says...
8:40am Wed 21 Nov 12

I thought we had no money anyway ??

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MrsHoney says...
8:44am Wed 21 Nov 12

Woody G Mellor wrote:
Usual negative comments from the usual negative people I see.

Yaaaawn.
I think it's a case of the designs not being sensitive to the area than just being negative for the sake of it. I thought the initial idea was a good one - although I don't know how they'll deal with floods. Hopefully there are some better designs than the ones they've shown here. Actually Chrissy92 makes a good point about sustainability. I know it's the new watchword but it would be good if they could create something that was from recycled sources as well as something that is going to last as long as the other structures along the river. Unless they choose a horrible design in which case I'd be happy for it to wash away in the first floods!

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Blimp says...
9:57am Wed 21 Nov 12

Most people on this site love a good moan, so let's get Vic Reeves to design it and then have the Gunpowder Plod people run it. We can't wait to see the posts that will appear after that.

Brilliant, love it! More please.

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Thunderblade says...
12:50pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Where's the Affordable Housing then?

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TerryYork says...
2:25pm Wed 21 Nov 12

PinzaC55 wrote:
They could call it the James Alexander building in memory of all he has done for York.
Hear hear! :)

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estudiommasa says...
5:06pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Our contribution form Spain http://mmasa.net/blo
g/york-guildhall-des
ign-competition/

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mel_drew says...
5:13pm Wed 21 Nov 12

This will never be a viable site while architects have to consider that River House will probably demand uninterrupted views of the river. Buy and demolish River House and you have the best site in York for a hotel.
Something along the lines of the Gherkin, or the Shard. Parking for patrons could be in the stripped out Guildhall.
Some may think I'm joking, but I call it vision.

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sheps lad says...
7:32pm Wed 21 Nov 12

Shudda gone to vision express!

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thewold says...
7:42pm Thu 22 Nov 12

Where does this notion of 'stripping out the Guildhall' (option 2) come from - I thought it was listed? I think option 4 is the best, and option 5 shouldn't be on the list owing to their inability to scale people.

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roobarb85 says...
7:33am Fri 23 Nov 12

Although York's economy seems to inctreasingly depend on it, I don't want to live in a historical theme park. So, please, no "pretend old" stuff.

What's needed is something in scale with the site, but confidently modern and fit for purpose - and there's the real problem. What is the purpose of the development?

Oh and it would be nice if someone local - even Yorkshire based would do - to design it.

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Am Dram Fan says...
4:43pm Sat 24 Nov 12

When I first saw these designs I thought I was in the middle of a particularly bad nightmare!!
Is this progress? Are we going back to the 1950s and 60s when the likes of Stonebow House was allowed to see the light of day?
This is York not Leeds!

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