| Title: | Southwater One, Telford, Shropshire, UK |
| Markets: | Leisure and Sport, Parks and Green Spaces |
| Client: | Telford & Wrekin Council/Mace Group |
| Services: | Landscape architecture |
| Region: | United Kingdom |
| Date: | 2014 |
| Photography: | Southwater One images by Gillespies; Jason Gairn; Interactive Art courtesy of Nikhilesh Haval |
Telford & Wrekin Council wished to transform Telford Town Centre into a major regional leisure and retail attraction. At the heart of the £250 million Southwater development, we have created a dynamic and captivating landscape that has provided a new focus for the town and a unique and identifiable destination for the community.
At the heart of the Southwater masterplan is Southwater One, a gold-clad contemporary building designed by Associated Architects. The flagship building houses a public library, the Council’s First Point and Customer contact centre, tourist information, and various voluntary organisations. The wider development also includes an 11-screen cinema, as well as cafes, bars and restaurants.
The striking building sits beside a new urban square and landscaped park, which includes a large lake and urban beach, designed to act as an interactive play resource and events space. The distinctive urban beach features marginal and aquatic planting and is surrounded by paths, bespoke seating, interactive art, lighting and play facilities.
A new urban square has been created in the heart of the Southwater development, at the transition space between the existing Town Centre and the new lake and Town Park beyond. The square provides a raised lawn area with generous seating capacity, an interactive water feature within a flexible events space and additional distinctive landscape elements, including year-round planting interest.
Awards
- 2015 RIBA West Midlands Award
