In an area steeped in the heritage of the local coal and steel industries and the landscapes of the North York Moors, the redevelopment of Teesside Park has sought to draw out these themes through the public realm designs and to create a radically different shopping environment.
Previously bland, hard paved shopfront walkways have been transformed to provide comfortable, wide green routes for pedestrians, incorporating lush shade gardens and interactive play spaces alongside the revitalised shopfronts. With 185 new semi-mature trees planted as part of the scheme, the site is now a significantly greener, more vibrant place to visit.
Our design language has been heavily influenced by the North York Moors and local woodlands, with a prevalence of Yorkstone, nest moor grass, snowy woodrush, deer fern and a bespoke water rill which runs the length of the main southern promenade.
The public realm scheme makes the most of the site’s microclimate with peaceful lush green shade gardens with playable musical elements in north-facing areas, whilst in sunnier spots timber loungers are set within colourful perennial borders – a spot to relax in amongst the hubbub.
The north east of England is fast becoming a centre for innovative digital technologies, supporting a new economy for the area since the decline of more heavy industrial work. A bespoke cube play wall within the gardens references this emerging new industry, influenced by the black and white symbols of binary code – the foundation for digital technology. Looking towards the past, weathered steel planters and feature lighting mimic the runs of molten steel through the steel fabrication process, which has been such an important industry in the area in times gone by.
This project is a fantastic example of how our shopping environments are evolving to create better, healthier places for people to visit and of the capacity that public realm designs have to bring delight and inspiration to our everyday experiences.
BALI Award – Soft Landscaping Construction (Non-Domestic)
