We had a really interesting walk (photo above) on a hot evening on 19th of June. We were a mixed group of architects and ‘non-experts’ and everyone joined in enthusiastically. We tried to tease out what each of us we liked and disliked about the design, appearance and overall impression of the buildings we examined, many of which are new or under construction. We tried to find objective words that capture our impressions but are respectful, informative and descriptive. Here are just a few of our stopping points.
We started at the Public Library, now 36 years old, which still shows hints of traditional architectural language in the rusticated granite ground floor and the shaped keystones over the door and window openings. Next we headed through the new and very welcome pedestrian link leading towards Bath Street,
but wondered why it is so gloomy and lavatorial, rather than cheerful and uplifting. We had a very lively discussion in Funchal Street, where construction is underway, about the evolution of balcony design in recent town centre apartments. In Funchal Street this seems to have reached a visually uncomfortable and almost frenzied level.
There was also an entertaining exchange of views about colour, about the durability of some of the materials being used, and why the front of the former Odeon cinema, a few feet from the new Premier Inn, is still very evidently falling to bits.
In Ann Street we got an impression of the character of the new residential quarter that is nearing completion
and we made a useful comparison with the adjoining Liberation Court which is now 30 years old.
Our final stop was in the new very successful public space that has been created around the Arts Centre. We wondered whether it matters that the impressive and solid looking yellow ‘brick’ buildings are not constructed of ‘real’ bricks, but use an applied skin of a lightweight material.
Opposite the Arts Centre is the recently completed Ingouville House, a very simple block of eight apartments which is notable for its striking and very colourful cladding, which our group enjoyed.
Do join us on future walks, which are becoming increasingly lively and thought-provoking.
Please write to hello@societe.je for more information.
Stuart Fell, Section Chair
