Following a competition, we were appointed as the team leaders in this comprehensive restoration of streets, squares and alleys in the World Heritage City of Durham.
The brief was to re-animate these spaces to allow them to realise their potential in improving Durham’s importance as a major visitor attraction.
Extensive consultation took place from which the masterplan scheme was developed to rejuvenate these public spaces as a main orientation point within the city and a venue for regular markets and events.
The comprehensive redesign included substantial changes to traffic management, detailed liaison on market uses, the moving of listed statues and a new artwork strategy.
The design objective was for a seamless floor plane across the Market Square, paved in high quality granite and sandstone finishes.
Market Square was designed to be flexible enough to accommodate the regular markets, the annual Miners’ Gala, Durham University graduation events. It is also the regular home to the Lumiere Festival of Light which was first held here in 2009, illuminating the medieval city.
