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Boardwalk :: Forum List The Phoenix Quarter Cultural

Robert A   Piers Gough - 2005/12/09 18:02 Found this about the architect... Piers Gough, whose enthusiasm for uncompromising modern architecture and outspoken views are renowned, believes that “to build new ‘old’ is the most spiritually destructive thing we can do”. Gough’s idea of good architecture is typified by the controversial and futuristic plans for Hove’s seafront by Frank Gehry, which he is helping to bring to fruition. Most of his work so far has sprung up in cities, but that could soon change. As the recently appointed Design Champion for Kent County Council, his ideas could soon shape the future of the Garden of England. Meanwhile his latest scheme is taking root on the other side of the country. There is nothing at all traditional about Gough’s plans for the Yorkshire Entertainment Sensation (optimistically called the YES project), which looks like a mass of giant coloured tubes coiled in a field. Any comments?   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. John Fry   Re:Piers Gough - 2005/12/16 04:48 Lewes has architecture of a multitudinous variety; the Gough idea if architecture does not fit into or blend in any way with that in the town centre. His ideas of height are out of proportion with the rest of the town's designs - yes Lewes does have some high buildings - but not of a size suggested for the Phoenix site. If we are not careful,the town will become a collection of buildings typified by that of Clifford Dann in Albion street - or mini versions of the infamous County Hall.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. Ella   Re:Piers Gough - 2005/12/16 17:03 I agree, I know nothing about architecture but Piers Gough seems generally well thought of. Although he claims to have Lewes links I do not feel he fully understands our town. He may be the right man for the job but only if some of the ideas are scaled down. I appreciate that to create an 'interesting skyline' buildings of different heights are needed, but 8 or 9 stories on top of a car park are not necessary. The claim that the majority of Lewes is 3 stories may be true but that is not on top of a car park!   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. Robert A   Re:Piers Gough - 2005/12/16 20:04 Have a look at this ... Sunderland Town Centre   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. Tony Cox   Re:Piers Gough - 2005/12/30 20:58 I thought Piers Gough was far from convincing at the Town Meeting. The only issue he was prepared to address directly was density and then to only say that he was right and everyone else was wrong. Low density is not appropriate says Piers, why not? Questions of traffic/parking, sustainabiltiy, height and impact on Lewes in general were evaded. We need more specific information.   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum. joan holkar   Re:Piers Gough - 2006/01/08 22:43 A few points, in no particular order: 1.Re the discussion about density. Piers Gough is correct in saying that Lewes hasn't a low-density pattern of occupation, but neither does it have a density as high as the figure he proposes. The govt guidelines for housing density also are not as high as Angel Properties propose. 2.Given the fulfilment of the Angel Properties plan, Lewes Town would gain an additional 10% population at least! It would have an enormous impact on so many aspects of Lewes, as others have mentioned - school places, medical/dental provision, public transport requirements, and not least on the availablity of water. We still have a hosepipe ban in place, as I understand it, since the beginning of last summer. Have Southern Water been asked whether they can supply 10% more fresh water to the town? And deal with 10% more sewage/waste water? 3.The majority of the proposed buildings would be 5 stories above ground level, with 'towers' up to 10 stories - far taller than County Hall.I think that whenever the next round of plans appear, Angel Properties should be obliged to show a computer mock-up illustrating exactly how their proposed development would impact visually on the town from various sightlines. 4. Re social/affordable housing - I have not seen or heard of any absolute commitment by Angel Properties to this. The developer of the Malling Brooks area, apparently, although theoretically required by Lewes District Council policy to provide a percentage of social/affordable housing, explained that it would not be profitable to do so. Given the house prices obtainable in Lewes, any developer would have to be extraordinarily philanthropic to provide social/affordable housing if they can get away with not doing so. 5. Lewes is a town, not a dormitory suburb. Towns have commercial and industrial areas. If the present industrial area is shabby perhaps that is because its future has hung in the balance for so long. The area provides employment for local people. If places are to be provided on the eastern side of the river for these businesses to relocate to, is there a guarantee that they will not have to meet any extra costs? Or might some, if not all, of them be forced to close due to increased rental costs? 6. There are an enormous number of points to consider in a development of this size. It's impact won't only be the provision of river walkways, with people sitting outside pavement cafes under trees before visiting a brand new arts centre!   | | You must login if you wish to contribute to this forum.

Boardwalk :: Forum List The Phoenix Quarter Cultural

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