Snowhill, Birmingham

This scheme explores the combined characteristics of the man made and the natural. The raised plinths of the undeveloped buildings are densely planted with birch and pine to create copses of woodland, out of reach but creating bold planting masses to dramatically soften the main plaza. These planted elements will have impact when viewed from the new development and from the adjacent urban spaces. The lower walls of the plinths are to be clad in textured steel with ribs of steel or carbon fibre articulating the facades. From ring road level the stepped entrance will climb through the two copses, leading to a low bridge like link across the plaza towards the main walk way and trams. The main plaza on either side is forested with a dense sequence of carbon fibre rods, designed to sway gently in the breeze. Each is topped with a bright led light, creating a shimmering series of glowing points of light expressing the concept of the buried glass works beneath Snowhill. From beneath the lights will be perceptible against the night sky and from above the plaza will be seen through a grid of floating spots of light. Long, splinter like benches will create informal seating areas in small clearings within the rod forest. Basalt or similar dark paving will run across the entire space with some areas of texture running through the mast areas. Light will flood from below the paved bridge and also be reflected onto the paved surface from uplighters and reflectors mounted on selected rods.

Developer Hines UK