Project Details
We played a key role in the regeneration of the historic slate quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, in the Snowdonia mountains. At the peak of the slate industry, the town was the second largest in North Wales but today the town relies heavily on tourists coming to visit the Ffestiniog Railway and Llechwedd Slate Caverns. Our work aimed to develop the town as a visitor destination by drawing out the special sense of place which exists at Blaenau.
Finalist – RTPI Awards 2013
Commended – RTPI Cymru
Winner – Towns Alive National Awards: Environment & Culture
Design Details
- Working closely with local artist Howard Bowcott, we sought to weave the distinctive colours, textures and views of the surrounding mountains and slate quarries into new public spaces in the heart of the town
- New areas of public realm encourage visitors to sit back and enjoy the breath-taking views of the mountains that tower over the town
- 40 feet tall slate structures engraved with poetry and local sayings visually ‘echo’ the surrounding slate hills and the traditional skill of the slate quarrymen
Location:
North Wales
Client:
Gwynedd County Council
Collaborators:
Howard Bowcott (Artist) / Miller Research (Regeneration)
Engineer:
Martin Stockley Associates
Surveyor:
Wilkinson Cowan Partnership
Project Value:
£4.1M
Photographers:
Howard Bowcott / Macgregor Smith
