Seating was required to complement the North Street regeneration project, to create a new resting place by the Clock Tower located at a crossroads of two busy streets including the arterial route connecting the railway station with the seafront.
Constraints that needed to be surmounted included proximity to an area of high pedestrian and vehicle traffic levels; uneven crossfalls that were difficult for the less ambulant to negotiate; fill material of old Victorian toilet blocks and previous street foundations on site, and the site’s setting within an archaeologically sensitive area. This central meeting place needed to be highly durable, serving thousands of tourists and local people during the daytime and evening. Seaside conditions such as strong winds and salt were also an important consideration.
Design objectives were to create a special meeting place that was worthy of a civic space, using beautiful materials that would not lose their colour or be easily damaged. It needed to be eclectic and sculptural to meet with the distinctiveness of Brighton, whilst maintaining a harmonious relationship with the ancient monument of the Clock Tower. Integrating it to the busy shopping area of Churchill Square with its granite-clad seating and raised planters provided a holistic solution, visually marrying the two public spaces. The sweeping curves replicated the backcloth of the curved contemporary Quadrant building and Art Deco landmark building beyond.
Sketch proposals were shared within a team comprising officers from sustainable transport, design and conservation, and traffic safety. External consultants for digital design, structural engineering, traffic safety audits, detail design of lighting, and programming of traffic lights were appointed for appropriate work stages. Community consultation and circulation to other professional disciplines resulted in the creation of the final design which went out to tender to the stonemasons for fine tuning and implementation.
