 |
A
computer-generated image of the shape the new Eastside Park
is likely to take |
Further
details have been revealed about Birmingham's first new city park
for more than a century.
The new Eastside Park adjoining the city's Irish Quarter will be
designed by international architectural practice Patel Taylor with
Allain Provost.
An expert judging panel chaired by John Sorrell, chairman of the
government's design advisory body CABE, selected Patel Taylor.
They won out from a field of six international practices, which got
through to the second stage of a global design competition for the
park launched earlier this year.
Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for regener-ation, Cllr
Ken Hardeman, announced the successful team at a ceremony at Millennium
Point in Eastside just before Christmas.
Patel Taylor was established in 1989. Founding partners Pankaj Patel
and Andrew Taylor lead a team with
a wide range of expertise, which produced the iconic Thames Barrier
Park in London.
Patel Taylor will be assisted by Allain Provost, one of the world's
leading park designers and by international design consultancy Ove
Arup and Partners.
Ove Arup have a history of involvement with major projects in Birmingham,
most recently with Millennium Point, the Bullring and
a number of Eastside developments.
Patel Taylor's design for the park is composed of three interconnected
gardens forming a centrepiece to Eastside and connecting it to the
core of the city.
Councillor Hardeman said: "Creating a new City Park in Eastside
is a top priority for the council. It has been a key cornerstone
of the Eastside vision from the outset, and has been significant
in attracting major developers to invest in the area.
"As a member of the judging panel I can say that we had a challenging
task choosing from the high quality concept designs that were submitted.
"Patel Taylor's approach convinced us they have the capacity
to deliver a stunning new park for our city."