Sutherland Road-Design Advice

Tender description

The contract requires the provision of architectural, landscape and urban design services to assist the development of the following project: Background: Sutherland Road is an important part of the industrial heritage of the Upper Lea Valley and now forms part of a neighbourhood that has seen a dramatic resurgence in bespoke makers and trades centred around Blackhorse Workshop and Uplands Business Park. It sits in the Borough’s main Growth Areas and the area has significantly evolved to accommodate a wider mix of uses and in particular, residential. New residential development has changed the character of Sutherland Road yet the street has retained much of its industrial spaces predominantly to the west. The street has a very special character however the current overall streetscape is of poor quality. As recommended in the Sutherland Road Masterplan, completed in 2014 by Gort Scott, the challenge for Sutherland Road is to create a robust streetscape that can mediate between residential and industrial or employment uses for the long term. Sutherland Road has since received s106 funding for overall improvements of the streetscape and following the completion of improvements to Sutherland Path, this commission focuses on the carriageway and footway areas of the street. Project Brief / Core Objectives: Create a better quality pedestrian environment that prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, over vehicles. Mediate between industrial, commercial and residential uses on adjoining sites, by designing-in meaningful and appropriate differences in street layout and character - a coordinated design approach for the area, through a schedule of well-considered design solutions. As set out in the ‘Masterplan’ core objectives include: • Create an environment that enhances a feeling of personal safety • Integrate new street trees and planting. • Mitigate conflicts between loading/unloading vehicles, and other road users. • Improve the interface between developments and the public realm to create coherent and legible place. • Place parking on the street without compromising streetscape • Remove unnecessary street clutter and signage. • Create low - maintenance proposals.