Introduction to the site and context

The brief of our major design project has been issued. The location has been specified, the client has laid out his prospects. Therefore, the design process can begin.

The site that out class is dealing with is located within the Northampton town centre, along one of the most commercially focused areas of the place.

The property line of the project surrounds and existing brutalist stone building that dates from the late 1960s and a 3-storey property in its vicinity.

We were assigned to create a library or bookstore, a café or restaurant and a residential element within the boundaries of the site. The choice is ours to either reinvent the existing structures, or to demolish and rebuild fresh, given proper justification.

It was noted that the site is located on the Derngate Conservation Area, therefore there are a number of particularities to be considered.

The southern side of the 1960's building is surrounded by and even older structure, part of the original Waterloo House from the 1800s. It cannot be touched.

The marble fountain and the mature trees on the eastern side of the building are to be preserved, and celebrated.

The alleyway on the western side of the building must stay open and accessible 24/7.

It is just about the right balance between freedom of design choice and legislation restricted adaptation.

First things first. It was decided to divide the site into smaller areas and survey the buildings that surround the market square. We had to familiarise ourselves with the immediate context, in order to better understand the environmental implications of our design.

Theodolites in hand, measure tapes in our bags and lasers in our pockets we proceeded to action.